Cristiano Ronaldo eyes new record in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :September 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM

Modified at :September 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM

The Portuguese striker is chasing another record in the national team shirt.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s everlasting impact on the biggest stages of football continues to awe world football. The striker is now on the verge of breaking a new record when he takes the field against Armenia tomorrow.

Ronaldo has recorded 36 goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign and is now four goals shy of becoming the all-time top scorer in qualification history.

Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala currently holds the top spot with 39 goals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s perennial rival Lionel Messi also has 36 goals following his brace against Venezuela.

Ronaldo & Co. to take on Armenia tomorrow

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League — HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (L) gestures after Joao Felix of Al-Nassr (not in picture) scored his goal during to the Saudi Super Cup semi final between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad at Hong Kong Stadium on August 19, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Hence, Cristiano Ronaldo will be desperate to break another record in his career, something he has built his career on. His famous quote in the past, ”Records follow me, I dont follow records,” is an indication of his continued dominance at the age of 40.

Portugal will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign tomorrow, and will first take on Armenia, followed by Hungary in their second match this September. This will give the 40-year-old a chance to eclipse Ruiz at the top spot of the chart.

He will also be hoping to play in the 2026 World Cup and inspire his nation to the trophy, which he certainly craves the most. The World Cup has eluded him throughout his playing career.

Ronaldo has won major honours with Portugal, including the Euros and two UEFA Nations League titles, but the World Cup is where he has always fallen short. Next year will be the biggest and perhaps last chance to lift it.

However, for now, his main objective is to lead Portugal to the competition and break the record of Ruiz in qualifying matches.

Top 5 all-time leading scorers in WC qualifiers:

1. Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala): 39 goals

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 36 goals

3. Lionel Messi (Argentina): 36 goals

4. Ali Daei (Iran): 35 goals

5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland): 31 goals

How many goals does Ronaldo need to become the all-time scorer in World Cup qualifiers?

He will need three goals to equal the record and four to break the record.

Where does Messi stand in this category?

Messi is also tied to Ronaldo in second with 36 goals.

Are Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

No, they will begin their qualifying campaign tomorrow.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.