FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race hots up; Messi leads, here are all his 18 WC goals

The race to claim the Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is heating up with Argentina’s Lionel Messi leading the standings after adding two more goals to his tally on Monday (June 22).

Messi found the net twice against Austria in Dallas as Argentina won 2-0. With the addition of two more goals, Messi has now become the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals. He made his debut in 2006 World Cup and continues to weave his magic on the global stage. He is playing in his sixth World Cup.

Also read: Why FIFA World Cup orbits around Argentina’s ‘North Star’ Messi

In the latest Golden Boot standings after the matches on Monday, Messi is the leader with five goals from two matches. Following him closely at second spot is France’s Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland of Norway with four goals apiece.

For only the second time in World Cup history, three players have scored four or more goals after just two matches. This is the first since 1954.

How Golden Boot winner is decided

The Golden Boot will be awarded to the player who scores the most goals. If two or more players score the same number of goals, the number of assists (as determined by the members of the FIFA Technical Study Group) shall be decisive.

Also read: Messi’s record-breaking World Cup goal sparks VAR debate after Argentina beat Austria

If two or more players are still equal after taking into account the number of assists, the total minutes played in the tournament will be taken into account, with the player playing fewer minutes ranked first.

Latest Golden Boot standings at FIFA World Cup 2026 (After matches on June 22)

1. Lionel Messi (5 goals in 2 matches)

2. Kylian Mbappe (4 goals in 2 matches); Erling Haaland (4 goals in 2 matches)

3. Deniz Undav (3 in 2); Jonathan David (3 in 2)

4. Crysencio Summerville, Mikel Oyarzabal, Maxi Araujo, Ayase Ueda, Cody Gakpo, Vinicius Junior, Johan Manzambi, Brian Brobbey, Harry Kane, Matheus Cunha, Cyle Larin, Daichi Kamada, Folarin Balogun, Ismael Saibari, Yasin Ayari, Ismaila Sarr, Elijah Just, Kai Havertz (All 2 goals each).

Here are all 18 goals scored by Messi in World Cup history

2006 (Germany) 1 goal

1. Vs Serbia and Montenegro (2006) Group stage

2014 (Brazil) 4 goals

2. Vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Group stage

3. Vs Iran, Group stage

4. Vs Nigeria, Group stage

5. Vs Nigeria, Group stage

2018 (Russia) 1 goal

6. Vs Nigeria, Group stage

2022 (Qatar) 7 goals

7. Vs Saudi Arabia, Group stage

8. Vs Mexico, Group stage

9. Vs Australia, Round of 16

10. Vs Netherlands, Quarter-finals

11. Vs Croatia, Semi-finals

12. Vs France, Final

13. Vs France, Final

2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico) 5 goals so far

14. Vs Algeria, Group stage

15. Vs Algeria, Group stage

16. Vs Algeria, Group stage

17. Vs Austria, Group stage

18. Vs Austria, Group stage