Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sports Event
Top 10 Greatest World Cup Hat-Tricks
Scoring a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup — three goals in a single match — is one of football's rarest and most celebrated feats. These moments of individual brilliance have defined careers, rewritten record books, and captivated billions worldwide. Which do you think was the greatest? Cast your vote now and be the 1st to share your pick! Subscribe to our newsletter for more epic football countdowns.
2026211 views
Be the first
Current Rankings
Vote items up or down — rankings update instantly
Get the weekly sports rundown
The most-voted lists across every category — curated weekly. Join the early readers.
- The most-voted lists across every category
- Exclusive early-access to new categories
- Reader picks vs editorial picks compared
No spam. One email per week. Unsubscribe anytime.
World Cup Hat-Trick FAQ
Who scored the only hat-trick in a World Cup final? Geoff Hurst of England scored the only hat-trick ever recorded in a World Cup final, netting three times as England beat West Germany in 1966.
What is widely regarded as the greatest modern World Cup hat-trick? Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 World Cup is widely regarded as the greatest of the modern era, combining clinical finishing with a stunning late free kick.
Have players ever scored more than three goals in a single World Cup match? Yes — Sándor Kocsis scored four goals against West Germany in 1954, and Eusébio scored four in Portugal's famous comeback win over North Korea in 1966.
Who produced the most celebrated header hat-trick in World Cup history? Miroslav Klose's hat-trick against Saudi Arabia in 2002, composed entirely of headers, is considered the most efficient aerial hat-trick in World Cup history.
World Cup Hat-Tricks: Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the only hat-trick in a World Cup final? Geoff Hurst scored three goals for England against West Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final at Wembley — the only hat-trick ever achieved in a World Cup final.
Which player scored the most goals in a single FIFA World Cup, including a hat-trick? Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup, including a hat-trick in the third-place play-off, making him the all-time top scorer in a single World Cup tournament.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever scored a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup? Yes — Cristiano Ronaldo scored a famous hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, completing his treble with a dramatic free-kick in the 88th minute of a 3–3 draw.
Readers Also Ranked
More Lists Like This
Top 10 Dutch Football Players in 2026
- #1Virgil van Dijk
- #2Frenkie de Jong
- #3Cody Gakpo
Top 10 Most Iconic Sports Moments
- #1Miracle on Ice (1980)
- #2Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
- #3Michael Jordan's Last Shot (1998)
Top 10 Surfing Spots in Australia 2026
- #1Bells Beach
- #2Snapper Rocks
- #3Margaret River
Top 10 Greatest La Liga Players of All Time
- #1Lionel Messi
- #2Alfredo Di Stéfano
- #3Cristiano Ronaldo
Discussion
Have a take on this ranking?
Comments are how the argument actually happens here. Posting one needs a free account — it takes about a minute.
No comments yet.
The first comment sets the terms of the argument.
Would your top 10 look different?
Publish your own ranking of this topic. Your list gets its own page, and readers vote on it the same way you just voted on this one.
Build your own Top 10Related Videos
More Sports Rankings
More Sports Events Rankings
6
Top 10 Reasons the 2026 World Cup Will Be Historic
252 views · @admin
Top 10 Most Watched Sports Events in History — The Numbers That Broke the Internet
268 views · @admin
Top 10 Best World Cup Kits of All Time, Ranked (Iconic Football Jerseys 1970–2018)
269 views · @admin
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Swimmers of All Time
276 views · @admin
Top 12 World Cup Underdogs Who Made History
287 views · @admin
Top 10 World Cup Songs and Anthems
315 views · @admin
You might also want to rank…
Top 10 Greatest Female Tennis Players of All Time
Top 10 Greatest Basketball Rivalries
Top 10 Athletes Who Changed Their Sport's Economics Forever
Top 10 Adventure Activities in South Africa 2026Explore more Sports rankings on Top10Grid
People Also Explore
Because you're viewing Sports
Top 10 Famous Spanish Athletes of All Time
264 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Figure Skaters of All Time
264 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Most Watched Sports Events in History — The Numbers That Broke the Internet
268 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Greatest MMA Fighters of All Time
269 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Swimmers of All Time
276 views · 0 votes
Top 10 NBA Players Owning the 2026 Conference Finals — Wembanyama, Brunson, SGA Lead Historic Performances
276 views · 0 votes
You might also like
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Greatest World Cup Goalkeepers
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Greatest World Cup Finals in History
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Most Memorable World Cup Moments
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 12 World Cup Underdogs Who Made History
12 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 World Cup Golden Boot Winners
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Countries to Watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
10 items
