World Cup 2026: Michael Olise breaks King Pelé’s record

18.07.26 FT World Cup

France

4

:

England

6

On Saturday, during the third-place playoff of this 2026 World Cup, Michael Olise delivered his 6th and then his 7th assist of the tournament, both for a Kylian Mbappé brace.

This is something never seen before in World Cup history. No player had ever reached such a tally in a single edition. The attacking midfielder has now surpassed the legendary Brazilian Pelé, who registered 6 assists in 1970 (with two fewer matches than Olise).

Having set up goals once against Senegal, twice against Iraq, twice against Sweden, and now twice against England, Olise is etching his name in the record books in his very first World Cup appearance.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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