The exclusive club of World Cup hat-trick heroes: From Pelé to Mbappé

Hat‑tricks remain one of the most exclusive achievements in World Cup history, with only 47 recorded across all editions. These performances have showcased the sport’s greatest finishers, spanning generations and competitive eras. The first World Cup hat‑trick dates back to 1930, when Bert Patenaude struck three times for the United States against Paraguay. The 1954 tournament proved especially prolific, producing multiple three‑goal displays.

Legends such as Pelé, Gerd Müller, Gabriel Batistuta and Paolo Rossi all left their mark with decisive hat‑tricks for their national teams. Batistuta stands alone as the only player to score hat‑tricks in two different World Cups. In the modern era, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé have continued the tradition. Mbappé’s treble in the 2022 final against Argentina remains one of the most dramatic ever, while Gonçalo Ramos also joined the list that year. Pelé is the youngest World Cup hat‑trick scorer, Ronaldo the oldest.