Oman today_ Karim Bagheri, the former defensive midfielder of Iran’s national team, still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup qualifying campaign, a record that has remained unbroken for more than two decades. During the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, he netted 19 goals, securing his place at the top of the all-time scoring chart.
In the latest 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Norway’s star Erling Haaland scored an impressive 16 goals in 8 matches, showcasing extraordinary performance, yet he fell short of surpassing Bagheri’s record. Haaland scored six goals against the Maldives, four against Israel, three against Estonia, and three against Italy, placing him among the top scorers of the tournament.
Bagheri’s remarkable journey in the 1998 qualifiers began in Damascus against the Maldives, where he scored seven goals. Three days later, he achieved a hat-trick against Kyrgyzstan, followed by two more goals against the Maldives, totaling 12 goals in the first three matches. However, his achievements were not limited to weaker teams; he also scored crucial goals against strong competitors, contributing significantly to Iran’s progression to the playoff stage, including two goals against China, two against Qatar, and goals against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Bagheri’s most historic goal came in the intercontinental playoff against Australia, where he scored with a decisive strike in the penalty area, leading to the opening of the goal by Mark Bosnich. Combined with Khodadad Azizi’s goal, this secured Iran’s qualification for the World Cup. This goal marked Bagheri’s 19th of the campaign, cementing his legacy in Iranian football history.
Despite Haaland’s outstanding performance, the limited number of matches prevented him from breaking Bagheri’s 19-goal record. Karim Bagheri remains one of the most iconic scorers in World Cup qualifying history, and his name continues to top the all-time scorers list.