2026 World Cup Golden Boot Standings: Messi, Mbappe and Leading Scorers Update

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has wrapped up, ushering in the knockout rounds where every goal counts more than ever. Leading the scoring charts are some of soccer's biggest names, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe once again battling at the summit.

New contenders like Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, and Deniz Undav have also made their mark by finding the net repeatedly, captivating fans worldwide.

Current Golden Boot Rankings

Who Is Favored to Win the Golden Boot?

Before the tournament started, Kylian Mbappe was the slight favorite to claim the Golden Boot, just ahead of England's Harry Kane, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Norway’s Erling Haaland, despite Norway's expected earlier exit compared to France or England, holds impressive stats with 55 goals in 50 international matches.

Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain is also among the top betting picks, positioned ahead of veterans like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both chasing their sixth World Cup appearances.

Recap of the 2022 Golden Boot Winner

Kylian Mbappe made history by becoming the first man since Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Despite France falling short after a dramatic 3-3 draw and penalty shootout loss to Argentina, Mbappe secured the Golden Boot with eight goals across seven matches.

Golden Boot Winners Through History

Since the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, each tournament has seen a different Golden Boot winner. The award hasn’t always gone to the biggest stars, showing how the tournament can spotlight unexpected heroes.

When Has the Golden Boot Winner Also Taken Home the World Cup?

Out of 22 tournaments, only three players have earned both the Golden Boot and the World Cup title in the same year. Mario Kempes did it for Argentina in 1978, scoring twice in the final. Paolo Rossi repeated the feat in 1982 for Italy, and Brazil's Ronaldo achieved it in 2002 by netting both goals in the final against Germany.

All-Time Top World Cup Goal Scorers

Lionel Messi has climbed past Miroslav Klose to become the highest scorer in World Cup history. Entering the 2026 competition three goals behind, he tied the record with a hat trick in his first match and then surpassed it against Austria.