The record for the largest margin of victory in a men's FIFA World Cup match stands at nine goals, achieved three times since 1954 and untouched since Hungary's 10-1 win over El Salvador in 1982. Trader consensus at 95.5% against a new mark in the expanded 2026 tournament reflects the narrower quality gaps among 48 qualified nations compared with earlier eras, combined with modern factors such as squad depth, substitutions, and reduced incentive for lopsided scoring. While preliminary groups could feature mismatches, no recent results or team news suggest a realistic path to double-digit margins. A 10-goal victory would still require an unprecedented collapse by one side against a dominant opponent.