However, Haaland follows closely with seven goals, while Bellingham and Kane have six each. Ousmane Dembélé has five goals. Ismaïla Sarr, Mikel Oyarzabal, Julián Quiñones, and Vinícius Júnior are close behind with four goals each, heating up the Golden Boot race and threatening the lead held by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
The Golden Boot race, which awards the top scorer at the FIFA World Cup 2026, has become one of the most emotional stories of the tournament.
Messi, who holds the record for the most World Cup goals with 21, is playing his sixth and final World Cup, and his hat-trick in Kansas City in the opening fixture already sent a message that he is not retiring quietly.
The Golden Boot Race: Messi, Haaland and Mbappe Lead
The Adidas Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer at every FIFA World Cup tournament, has become the tournament’s most competitive individual battle. As of July 13, 2026, the standings are as follows:
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals |
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 8 |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 |
| 3 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 7 |
| 4 | Harry Kane | England | 6 |
| 4 | Jude Bellingham | England | 6 |
| 6 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | 5 |
| 7 | Vinícius Júnior | Brazil | 4 |
| 7 | Ismaïla Sarr | Senegal | 4 |
| 7 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 4 |
| 7 | Julián Álvarez | Argentina | 4 |
| 11 | Cody Gakpo | Netherlands | 3 |
| 11 | Jonathan David | Canada | 3 |
| 11 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 3 |
| 11 | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 3 |
| 11 | Matheus Cunha | Brazil | 3 |
Also Read: World Cup Records Set to be Broken in FIFA World Cup 2026
Key Facts About the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Two players have scored eight goals each, while one player has seven, another two has six, and one has five. Five players have scored four goals each, and fourteen players have found the net three times. Several others are tied on two goals, making this one of the most competitive Golden Boot races in World Cup history.
Among the contenders are two former Golden Boot winners, Kylian Mbappé (2022) and Harry Kane (2018).
At 38 years old, Lionel Messi is playing in his fifth and probably last World Cup.
He has already made history with his eight goals and holds the record for most World Cup goals in history, with 21 goals across five tournaments.
Messi also holds the record for the most different FIFA World Cup appearances, alongside the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, at 6.
Kylian Mbappé (France), 8 Goals
The 2022 Golden Boot winner, with eight goals in Qatar, is back, chasing the trophy.
Mbappé is a prolific goal scorer who uses his pace to outrun defenders.
He has already proven he can dominate World Cup scoring, and his seven goals in 2026 show he is still in form.
Kylian Mbappe finished as top scorer in La Liga last season and is in top form, with World Cup experience.
A second World Cup Golden Boot will secure Mbappe’s place as one of the greatest World Cup scorers in history.
Erling Haaland (Norway), 7 Goals
The 25-year-old Norwegian star’s brace in three different games shows that he is ready to compete with Messi and Mbappé.
Haaland is in top form and finished as top scorer in the English Premier League last season, and has the support of Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, whose vision could highly contribute to Haaland’s goals in this tournament.
He represents a new generation of strikers, and if Norway proceeds to the later stages of the tournament and Haaland wins the Golden Boot, he will be among the legends of the game, cementing his legacy.
PHOTO | Erling Haaland | X
Harry Kane, 6 Goals
PHOTO | Harry Kane | X
Jude, 6 Goals
Bellingham is one of football’s most gifted attacking midfielders who is finally showing his potential on the world’s greatest stage for England.
He has scored important goals for his side, including two against Norway in their quarter-final fixture. Bellingham has a total of six goals in this tournament, only two goals behind leaders Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
If England progresses to the final and he keeps scoring, Jude could score more goals and cement his football legacy with England.
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PHOTO | Kylian Mbappe | Instagram
