FIFA World Cup: 10 records that might never be broken

The 2018 edition of FIFA World Cup will run from 14 June to 15 July in Russia across 11 cities and 12 stadia. Some of the world's greatest footballers will display their skills and look forward to bring home the trophy. Moreover, it is that part of the year when everyone becomes a football pundit.

Which club does the third-choice goalkeeper of a particular team play? Which players are playing their first and last World Cup? Which record will be broken if that player scores? They have the answer to all such questions.

If you are one of those pundits, then you have come across the right article. Here we present before you 10 FIFA World Cup records that might never be broken.

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#10 Highest attendance in a World Cup match

More than 170,000 fans flocked to the stadium

The record for the highest attendance in a FIFA World Cup match is officially 173,830 in the Estadio de Maracana at the 1950 Jules Rimet Cup. Unofficially, it was 199,854.

This match was called the "decisive match" because of it was the final game in a round-robin format with both sides in with a shout of taking the trophy home.

The match between Brazil and Uruguay would decide the title; a victory or a draw would grant Brazil the title, whereas Uruguay had to win the match in order to win the championship.

Brazil were the clear favorites to lift the trophy and Uruguay didn't even appear as a threat on paper. However, the unthinkable had happened as Uruguay overcame the 1-0 deficit and won 2-1.

It is highly unlikely that this record might be broken. At the time, the Maracanã was mostly concrete grandstands with no seats. And right now, most international football matches are played in all-seater stadiums.

Moreover, the largest stadium in the world, the May Day stadium at Pyongyang in North Korea, only has a capacity of 150,000. Whosoever wants to break the record will not only have to win the bid but also create a larger stadium.

#9 Longest suspension in a World Cup qualifying campaign

Roberto Rojas holds this notorious record

The ill-famed record for the longest suspension in a qualifying campaign is held by the Chile's Roberto Rojas. FIFA suspended the goalkeeper for life following his infamous act to get hurt by a flare thrown by a Brazilian fan at Chile's 1990 World Cup qualifier against Brazil.

FIFA would later give an amnesty in 2000 reducing his ban to 12 years. The event is known as Maracanazo de la selección Chilena meaning 'The Maracanazo of the Chilean Team'.

After questioning, Rojas confessed to having cut himself with a razor blade hidden in one of his gloves, and that Chilean coach Orlando Aravena had asked Rojas and team doctor Daniel Rodríguez to stay on the pitch to force a scandal, with the purpose of nullifying the result of the game.

With the advancements in technology, it is highly improbable that an act of such nature could be pulled. But, if teams resort to match-fixing, FIFA wouldn't hesitate to slap a life ban on the players.

Let's hope that none of the future players stoop to such tricks and this record is never broken.

#8 Youngest coach to manage a World Cup side

A 27-year-old managed the 1930 Argentina side

The record for the youngest coach to manage a FIFA World Cup is held by Argentina's Juan Jose Tramutola. The Argentinian received the honor of being the youngest coach ever at the 1930 World Cup at the age of just 27 years and 267 days when Argentina played their first match against France.

Some other notable achievements include guiding Argentina to the 1929 Copa America triumph and a second-place finish at the inaugural 1930 World Cup.

It is a dream for all the managers to coach a World Cup side, and Tramutola achieved it so early in his life. Nowadays, none of the federations appoint a manager without ample experience at this era.

Even if they do become a manager at a younger age, it would be a Herculean task to make their team qualify for the World Cup.

#7 Fastest goal from kickoff in a World Cup

Hakan Sukur found the back of the net after 10.8 seconds

Hakan Sukur of Turkey holds the current record for scoring the fastest goal from kickoff at a FIFA World Cup. The Bull of Bosphorus had represented the senior team 112 times and scored 51 goals in the process. He even displayed his goal-scoring prowess in the club football netting 260 goals in 540 appearances.

Turkey was coming into the match after a 1-0 loss to Brazil and South Korea with a similar scoreline against Germany. The hosts didn't want to end their campaign empty-handed and looked forward to picking up the victory. The home fans were screaming on top of their lungs but a fine display of skill from Hakan Sukur silenced them.

With only 10.8 seconds after the referee's whistle, the Turk found the back of the net. By doing so, he broke Czechoslovakia's Vaclav Masek earlier record of 16 seconds.

Clint Dempsey broke into the top five fastest goals in FIFA World Cup history at the 2014 edition after his 29th-second goal against Ghana. But, that is how near he could get.

However, Belgium's Christian Benteke scored a goal in the 9th-second (8.1 seconds) against Gibraltar in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Could he replicate that at the World Cup?

#6 Winning the World Cup in their first appearance

Italy won the World Cup on their debut

Italy and Uruguay are the only two countries to win the World Cup in their first appearance. Uruguay won the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup and Italy won the 1934 edition. Coincidentally, both had won the title when they were the hosts.

Iceland and Panama will be making their first appearance at Russia. Could they write their name in the history books alongside Uruguay and Italy?

Well, the thought seems far-fetched. However, they could spring some upsets and knock out Croatia and England from their groups.

History suggests that this record can be broken at the 2022 World Cup. If a country participates in the FIFA World Cup for the first time as a host, they are bound to win it.

The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural one, and Uruguay was the host and the winner. Italy didn't participate in the 1930 FIFA World Cup and won the 1934 World Cup as hosts.

So, by that logic, Qatar could win the 2022 FIFA World Cup! Sorry, Qatar fans but this idea seems pretty far-fetched at the moment.

#5 Biggest margin of victory in a World Cup qualifying match

Australia 31-0 American Samoa

Australia holds the record for the biggest margin of victory in a qualifying match against American Samoa. They had defeated them by a whopping scoreline of 31-0 in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This wasn't the only record created in the match. Australia's Archie Thompson also broke the record for most goals scored by a player in an international match by scoring 13 goals. David Zdrillic, who scored eight goals in the match, became the second highest goalscorer in a single international match since World War I.

To prevent such lopsided victories, a preliminary round for the smaller teams in the qualification was re-introduced. With other federations like the AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF also implementing such measures, it is highly unlikely that this record would be broken.

#4 Fastest red card in a World Cup

Jose Batista received his marching orders after 56 seconds into the game

The record for the fastest send-off in a FIFA World Cup is held by Uruguay's Jose Batista. He was sent off after just 56 seconds in their game against Scotland at the 1986 World Cup.

The Uruguayan played a monumental role in helping his team qualify for the World Cup. The fans expected him to play as an example and steer their way to triumph. However, in their final group stage match against Scotland, he couldn't control his aggression.

He threw in a devastating sliding tackle to the opposing midfielder Gordon Strachan, and the referee would give a straight red. Thanks to his notoriety, the Uruguayan would find his name in the Guinness Books and Uruguay qualified to the next round after a 0-0 draw.

The record for the fastest red card, not as a substitute, is held by Lee Todd. He was sent 2 seconds after the kickoff, following foul language in his game for Cross Park Farm Celtic against Taunton East Reach Wanderers.

While there might have been quicker send-offs in club football, it is highly unlikely the demons would follow in the FIFA World Cup.

#3 Youngest referee to officiate in a World Cup

A 24-year-old referee officiated this match between France and Paraguay

The record for the youngest referee to officiate in the FIFA World Cup is held by Spain's Juan Gardeazabal. At the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Gardeazabal refereed in Paraguay's 3-7 drubbing in the hands of France. He was only 24 years and 193 days old at the time of officiating and had inscribed his name in the history books.

He would also be the referee in the quarter-final match between France and Northern Ireland. Coincidentally, France also won that game with a four-goal margin (4-0).

Ricardo Montero will be the youngest referee in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But, even he is 32 years old. Michael Oliver became the youngest Premier League referee in the 2013 League Cup final when he was 25 years and 182 days old.

But, can anyone break the record of Juan Gardeazabal? We highly doubt it.

#2 Fewest matches played by a country in a World Cup

Indonesia participated in the 1930 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies

Indonesia holds the present record for the fewest matches played by a country in a FIFA World Cup. Indonesia, then known as Dutch East Indies, qualified automatically for the 1938 FIFA World Cup. Alas, Hungary hammered them 6-0 in their first game and sent them home packing.

FIFA has since changed their format of the World Cup. Now, all countries have to participate in a group stage in order to qualify for the knockout rounds. That means, all the countries have to play a minimum of three matches if they qualify for the World Cup.

So, unless FIFA changes their format again, which is highly unlikely, this record may never be broken. However, if Indonesia qualifies for a FIFA World Cup, they could erase their names from the history books.

#1 Most cautions for a player in a single World Cup match

It took three yellow cards to send off Josip Simunic

Croatia's Josip Simunic holds the record for the most cautions for a player in a single World Cup match. The referee Graham Poll showed him the yellow card three times (61', 90', 93') before sending him off in the 2006 World Cup match against Australia.

The original match report listed all the three yellow cards, before revising it to two, and omitting the 90th-minute yellow card. It is unknown whether this was for maintaining regularity in the reports, or if the caution was retrospectively reversed.

Nonetheless, the onus is on Poll for having Simunic hold this dubious record. When will this record be broken? Never.

With advancements in technology, the video official or fourth official would immediately point it to the on-ground referee if such scenario arises. It looks like Simunic will have to live with this record for eternity.