A hat trick in soccer requires scoring three goals in a single match, excluding penalty shootouts. This rare feat carries extra weight at the FIFA World Cup, where only select players have achieved the milestone across nearly a century of tournament history.

American forward Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hat trick in 1930, leading the United States to a 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the inaugural tournament. The 20-year-old Fall River native was the youngest player on that third-place U.S. squad. Fast forward to 2026, and Lionel Messi added his name to the record books with three goals against Algeria in the group stage.

France's Kylian Mbappé made history at the 2022 World Cup as just the second player to record a hat trick in a final, matching Geoff Hurst's 1966 achievement. Unlike Hurst, Mbappé's performance came in defeat as Argentina triumphed on penalties. Other notable names include Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pelé, each etching their mark on football's grandest stage.

The list spans from 1930's Pedro Cea and Guillermo Stabile to modern stars, showcasing how scoring three goals in World Cup play remains one of soccer's most exclusive clubs. With Messi joining the ranks in 2026, the hat trick tradition continues among football's elite.