Lionel Messi had already done almost everything at the World Cup, but a hat trick in 2026 has added one more line to the record book.
Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria saw Messi score in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, making him the latest name on a short list of players to score three times in a World Cup match this century.
The list includes legends, one-game heroes and two modern finals icons. Some came in group-stage blowouts, others in heavyweight clashes, but all are held in the highest regard.
Here is every World Cup hat trick since 2002.
Every 21st-century World Cup hat trick
Miroslav Klose – Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia, 2002
Klose started the century’s World Cup hat-trick list in ruthless fashion. Germany demolished Saudi Arabia 8-0 in the group stage.
It was the start of his rise into World Cup history. He would go on to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer across his career.
Pauleta – Portugal 4-0 Poland, 2002
Pauleta joined the list nine days later as Portugal beat Poland 4-0 — his goals giving Portugal a desperately-needed group-stage win.
It remains one of the best individual World Cup performances by a Portuguese forward. There’s another later down the list…
Gonzalo Higuain – Argentina 4-1 South Korea, 2010
Higuain scored the only World Cup hat trick of 2010, helping Argentina beat South Korea 4-1 in the group stage.
He exemplified how dangerous Argentina felt under Diego Maradona, but their tournament ended not long after against Germany.
Thomas Muller – Germany 4-0 Portugal, 2014
Muller opened Germany’s 2014 campaign with a brilliant hat trick against Portugal. You would have thought he’d have grabbed it in the 7-1 dismantling of Brazil, but it was against the European giants.
It was a statement performance from the eventual champions, and a brutal opening defeat for Portugal.
Xherdan Shaqiri – Switzerland 3-0 Honduras, 2014
Shaqiri scored all three goals as Switzerland beat Honduras 3-0 in their final group game in 2014.
His hat trick arrived in the 6th, 31st and 71st minutes, and it helped send Switzerland into the knockout stage. It remains the standout Swiss performance at a World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal 3-3 Spain, 2018
Ronaldo’s hat trick against Spain is one of the great modern World Cup performances. He grabbed a first-half brace and then completed it with a late free kick in the 88th minute.
The match finished 3-3, but Ronaldo owned the night.
Harry Kane – England 6-1 Panama, 2018
Kane scored England’s first World Cup hat trick of the century in a 6-1 group-stage win over Panama.
Two of his goals came from the penalty spot, before a deflected third completed the hat trick early in the second half. It helped power him towards the Golden Boot.
Goncalo Ramos – Portugal 6-1 Switzerland, 2022
Ramos produced one of the great breakout games of the 2022 World Cup. Starting in place of Ronaldo, he scored three times as Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16.
His goals turned him into an instant tournament story and helped him earn a move to PSG.
Kylian Mbappe – France 3-3 Argentina, 2022
Mbappe’s hat trick came on the biggest stage possible. France trailed Argentina in the final before Mbappe dragged them back, scoring in the 80th, 81st and 118th minutes.
France still lost on penalties, but Mbappe’s performance remains one of the most extraordinary in World Cup final history.
Lionel Messi – Argentina 3-0 Algeria, 2026
Messi is now the latest player to join the list. His hat trick against Algeria came in Argentina’s 3-0 group-stage win.
Even this late in his career, Messi has found another World Cup achievement to add to a career already overflowing with them.
