World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Lionel Messi leads but superstars eye prize

The race is well and truly on for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot with some superstar names in the running.

The prize recognises individual excellence on football’s biggest international stage, tracking goals scored throughout the tournament.

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FIFA rebranded the accolade from the Golden Shoe to the Golden Boot in the 2010 edition and that’s not the only change it’s undergone.

In 1994, a tiebreaker system was introduced, taking assists into account if players finished level on the same number of successful strikes.

Meanwhile, in 2006 it was implemented that if players cannot be separated via goals or assists, the award is handed to the individual with the fewest minutes on the pitch.

After the name change, Thomas Muller was the first recipient, scoring five times with third place Germany in South Africa.

James Rodriguez announced himself to the world in Brazil with the Colombian securing the 2014 gong.

The second Englishman after Gary Lineker to win the award was Harry Kane as he captained the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final in Russia 2018.

Most recently, France’s Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Argentina in the 2022 showpiece, scoring eight goals at the tournament overall.

So who is going to be the recipient after the final whistle blows in New Jersey as things stand?

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Current standings

6= 8 players

Deniz Undav, Germany – 3 goals, 2 assists

Ismael Saibari, Morocco – 3 goals, 1 assist

Johan Manzambi, Switzerland – 3 goals, 1 assist

Matheus Cunha, Brazil – 3 goals, 0 assists

Jonathan David, Canada – 3 goals, 0 assists

Brian Brobbey, Netherlands – 3 goals, 0 assists

Elijah Just, New Zealand – 3 goals, 0 assists

Ismaïla Sarr, Senegal – 3 goals, 0 assists

2= Erling Haaland (Norway)

Goals: 4
Assists: 0

Haaland is already Norway‘s all-time top goalscorer and wasted no time proving that on the international stage by netting twice in the first half of their opener against Iraq.

He followed that up with another brace in their second group game as Norway beat Senegal 3-2.

Haaland was rested for Norway’s final group game against France but will hope to find the net again in the Round of 32.

He remains one of the world’s most ruthless finishers, having racked up 168 goals in 198 matches since signing for Manchester City.

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2= Vinicius Jr (Brazil)

Goals: 4
Assists: 1

The Real Madrid man has scored in all three of Brazil’s group games at the 2026 World Cup.

A goal against Morocco, a goal and assist against Haiti and two strikes in their win over Scotland clash the Golden Boot firmly in his sights.

2= Ousmane Dembele (France)

Goals: 4
Assists: 1

Dembele helped himself to a goal in France’s easy win over Iraq before stealing the show against Norway in their final group game.

The Paris Saint-Germain star netted a brilliant first-half hat-trick in Boston to leap into Golden Boot consideration.

The 29-year-old now has 11 goals in 62 French caps.

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2= Kylian Mbappe

Goals: 4
Assists: 2

Mbappe won the World Cup at 19, then followed it up as the tournament’s top scorer four years later as France ended up as runners-up in Qatar.

While having some heat on himself at Real Madrid, the 27-year-old still secured 42 goals in 44 appearances for the Spanish giants.

He kicked off the tournament scoring a clinical brace against Senegal, a feat that officially saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading marksman and added another two against Iraq.

He turned provided against Norway, setting up two of Dembele’s goals.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Goals: 5
Assists: 0

Messi narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot last time at the competition despite winning the big prize.

Argentina’s team is still built around the 38-year-old, and he repaid the unwavering faith shown in him by scoring a hat-trick in their opening fixture, a 3-0 win over Algeria.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner moved passed Miroslav Klose for the all-time record with two goals against Austria in the second game.

Argentina face Jordan in their final group game and Messi may well be rested meaning he’ll have to wait until a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde to add to his tally.

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