A handful of records — including the all-time goals scored and appearances made — could be broken at the Qatar World Cup

Lionel Messi could break the competition's appearance record.

And also the record for the most knockout phase assists.

Messi's four assists in knockout phase games is a joint World Cup record he holds with Pelé, meaning he needs just one more to overtake the Brazilian legend.

Cristiano Ronaldo could become the first player to score at five World Cups.

Neymar could surpass Pelé as Brazil's all-time leading scorer.

While Harry Kane could become England's scoring record-holder.

Kane is just three goals from breaking Wayne Rooney's record and becoming England's all-time highest goal scorer.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker has 51 goals in 75 games for the Three Lions. Rooney retired from international soccer in 2018 having scored 53 goals in 120 appearances.

Argentina can break the record for the most international matches without a loss.

Germany's Thomas Müller can become the World Cup's greatest ever goalscorer.

While his teammate Manuel Neuer can break the tournament record for the most clean sheets.

England legend Peter Shilton and France's Fabien Barthez own the record for most clean sheets in FIFA World Cup history with 10 apiece.

Germany's Neuer can leapfrog them if he can shut his opponents out in four of his team's matches in Qatar.

Not every record up for grabs is desirable, however.