What happened: A Yahoo Soccer countdown post marking 12 days to the 2026 World Cup resurfaced how the tournament's first hat trick went officially unconfirmed for decades. Soccer historian Colin Jose's archival research led FIFA to recognize Bert Patenaude for scoring three goals against Paraguay at the inaugural 1930 World Cup.

Why it matters: For years the distinction of the first World Cup hat trick was muddled, with one of Patenaude's goals long credited to a teammate and the milestone sometimes attributed to other players entirely. The eventual correction restored Patenaude's place in the record and is a reminder of how archival work can reshape the sport's official history as the 2026 edition approaches.

What to watch: The story lands as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, with attention turning to which players will author the early milestones of this edition.