World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in all-time battle for top gong with Kane not far behind

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

9= 13 players

Deniz Undav, Germany – 3 goals, 2 assists (out)

Ismael Saibari, Morocco – 3 goals, 1 assist

Johan Manzambi, Switzerland – 3 goals, 1 assist

Julian Quinones, Mexico – 3 goals, 1 assist

Cody Gakpo, Netherlands – 3 goals, 1 assist (out)

Matheus Cunha, Brazil – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Jonathan David, Canada – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Brian Brobbey, Netherlands – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Elijah Just, New Zealand – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Yoane Wissa, DR Congo – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Kai Havertz, Germany – 3 goals, 0 assists (out)

Folarin Balogun, USA – 3 goals, 0 assists

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal – 3 goals, 0 assists

5= Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)

Goals: 4
Assists: 1

One of the most clutch players in world football, the Spaniard just can’t help but sniff out a goal for his nation.

A 45-minute showing against Saudi Arabia saw him score two and assist one in the first period.

He then slipped home two more against Austria to put his side into the Round of 16.

5= Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – out

Goals: 4
Assists: 1

Sarr enjoyed a brilliant individual World Cup before Senegal’s heartbreaking exit in the Round of 32.

He scored twice in their group stage defeat to Norway and helped himself to another in their rout of Iraq.

The Crystal Palace winger then scored a stunning against Belgium in the knockout stage but Senegal let their two-goal lead slip to crash out.

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5= Vinicius Jr (Brazil) – out

Goals: 4
Assists: 1

The Real Madrid man 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 has the Golden Boot firmly in his sights.

He drew a blank against Japan in the Round of 32 but will be looking to get on the scoresheet again when Brazil face Norway next.

5= Ousmane Dembele (France)

Goals: 4
Assists: 2

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, who has 11 goals in 63 French caps, claimed an assists against Sweden and will now be eyeing another goal in the last 16 against Paraguay.

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4. Harry Kane (England)

Goals: 5
Assists: 0

Kane was England’s hero yet again as he fired them into the last-16.

Kane bagged a brace in the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia and scored again against Panama.

He then produced a stunning double against DR Congo in the Round of 32 to get England out of a hole and keep their tournament alive.

Kane, who won the Golden Boot in 2018, has broken numerous England records this summer and will be eager for more.

1= Erling Haaland (Norway)

Goals: 7
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 found the net again with the winner in their Round of 32 clash against Ivory Coast.

And he produced his very best with another stunning double against Brazil in the Round of 16.

Haaland has now scored in 14 successive competitive internationals for Norway and has a whopping 62 goals in just 54 caps.

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1= Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Goals: 7
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 faced Jordan in their last group match and, wouldn’t you know it, he bagged a free-kick after coming off the bench.

And he scored his best goal yet to open the scoring as Argentina scraped past Cape Verde in the round of 32.

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1= Kylian Mbappe

Goals: 7
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 provider against Norway, setting up two of Dembele’s goals and then stole the show against Sweden, firing home two stunners.

And he netted his seventh from the penalty spot against Paraguay.

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