Rodri Sets New Passing Record at FIFA World Cup 2026

In a stunning display of skill, Rodri has set a new record for the most passes in a single FIFA World Cup tournament, achieving 655 passes. This surpasses his own previous record and highlights Spain's dominance in the midfield. As Spain advances to the final, they will face either Argentina or England, while France grapples with disappointment after a promising campaign ends prematurely. Kylian Mbappé's hopes of making history are dashed as he prepares for the bronze medal match. Read on to discover more about this thrilling tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2026, 20:14 IST

Historic Achievement by Rodri

Rodri, the standout midfielder for Manchester City, has made headlines by achieving a remarkable milestone of 655 passes during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026. This feat marks the highest number of passes recorded by any player in a single tournament since the inception of these statistics in 1966. Previously, Rodri set the record at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with 638 passes, surpassing Xavi Hernandez's previous record of 599, established during the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Following their latest victory, Spain is set to clash with either Argentina or England, aiming for their second World Cup title since 2010. In their recent match, Spain's midfield trio of Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Fabian Ruiz effectively neutralized France's offensive efforts.

France's Disappointment and Tactical Failures

Spanish Midfield Stuns France

After a promising campaign that seemed destined for success, Didier Deschamps will leave his role as France's manager feeling a sense of unfulfilled potential. The tournament ended in disappointment, denying Deschamps a fairytale farewell after previously leading France to victory in 2018 and narrowly missing a second title in 2022. Many will scrutinize Deschamps' inability to devise a strategy to counter Spain's renowned passing game. Kylian Mbappé, who had hoped to make history by becoming the second player to appear in three World Cup finals, will now prepare for the bronze medal match against an opponent yet to be determined. Meanwhile, Spain looks ahead to the final on July 19, where they will face the winner of the semi-final between England and Argentina.