Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe continue to lead the World Cup Golden Boot battle in what promises to be one of the fiercest battles in memory.
The superstars are on the biggest stage of all and are setting the pace in the race to become the 2026 tournament’s top scorer.
Messi leads the field with six goals, but Haaland scored his fifth goal of the tournament in Norway’s last-32 win over Ivory Coast to move closer to Argentina’s icon – and Mbappe matched Messi with a superb brace for France against Sweden.
Ousmane Dembele celebrates after giving France the lead against Norway
Mbappe’s teammate Ousmane Dembele and Brazilian Vinicius Jr are a further goal behind with four goals, while England’s Harry Kane is on three.
England captain Kane celebrates scoring against Croatia
How are things going in the fight for the Golden Boot…
This content is provided by which may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to change your preferences and enable cookies or allow these cookies to be used only once. You can change your preferences at any time through your privacy settings.
Unfortunately, we were unable to verify whether you consented to cookie. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies are only for this session.
Enable cookies Allow cookies once
Who will win the Golden Boot? Have your say…
This content is provided by which may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to change your preferences and enable cookies or allow these cookies to be used only once. You can change your preferences at any time through your privacy settings.
Unfortunately, we were unable to verify whether you consented to cookie. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies are only for this session.
Enable cookies Allow cookies once
Will anyone else join the party?
The big question is: will anyone else crash the Golden Boot party?
German duo Kai Havertz and Denise Undav, as well as Dutch pair Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey (all three) no longer have a chance to add to their tally after their countries’ exit from the round of 16.
Brazilian Matheus Cunha (center) celebrates victory with Vinicius Junior and Lucas Paqueta.
But Brazil Matheus CunhaSenegal Ismail Sarr (three) and Canada Jonathan David remain on the list as Mikel Oyarzabal – scorer of Spain’s winning goal in the Euro 2024 final – USA Folarin Balogun and evergreen Cristiano Ronaldowho finally scored a double in the match with Uzbekistan.
The problem for the rest of us is that Messi, Mbappe and Haaland show no signs of slowing down any time soon…
Could new records be set?
Miroslav Klose began the tournament as the top all-time World Cup scorer with 16 goals.
Two games in and Messi is now two ahead with 18, while Mbappe has also overtaken the German striker, whose international career spanned World Cups from 2002 to 2014.
This content is provided by which may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to change your preferences and enable cookies or allow these cookies to be used only once. You can change your preferences at any time through your privacy settings.
Unfortunately, we were unable to verify whether you consented to cookie. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies are only for this session.
Enable cookies Allow cookies once
Haaland became Norway’s top scorer at the World Cup after just two games, while Kane overtook Gary Lineker to become England’s top scorer at the World Cup.
Golden Boot contenders will be aiming to match Just Fontaine’s 1958 record of 13 goals in a single tournament.
Only three players in World Cup history – Fontaine, Gerd Müller of Germany in 1970 and Sándor Kocsis of Hungary in 1954 – have ever scored in double figures in a single tournament.
At the current level of performance at this tournament this summer, three or more players could do it!
What other records have been broken?
Most World Cup matches played: Lionel Messi (28)
Most World Championship wins: Lionel Messi (18)
Most World Cup tournaments played: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (six each)
First player to score in six World Cups: Cristiano Ronaldo
Oldest player to score multiple goals in a game: Cristiano Ronaldo
Smallest country to take part in the World Cup: Curacao
Most red cards in a starting match: Mexico v South Africa (three)