With 40 more matches than any previous edition, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to deliver a record haul of goals. What remains uncertain, however, is which player will finish as the tournament’s leading scorer. FIFA has identified the 10 leading contenders for the coveted adidas Golden Boot.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Mbappe has scored 56 goals in 98 appearances for France and has found the net 12 times in 14 World Cup matches. If Thierry Henry and Olivier Giroud were 30 and 36 respectively when they became France’s all-time leading scorers, Mbappe is on course to achieve the feat at 27. The explosive forward has scored 39 goals in his last 49 appearances for Les Bleus and averaged almost a goal per game at Paris Saint-Germain.
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Harry Kane (England)
Kane has scored 79 goals in 113 matches for England and eight goals in 11 World Cup appearances. Could Kane become the first player in history to win the Golden Boot twice? His case is a strong one. The 32-year-old has averaged more than a goal per Bundesliga match since joining Bayern Munich in 2023 and recently completed his fifth calendar year in the last nine in which he scored at least as many goals as he played matches for England.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
Oyarzabal has scored 25 goals in 53 appearances for Spain and is yet to play a World Cup match. The Eibar-born forward was not among the top 25 favourites two years ago. Now, only two players are ahead of the 29-year-old in the betting. With the creativity of Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams around him, Oyarzabal has scored 13 goals in his last 13 appearances for Spain.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland has scored 55 goals in 50 appearances for Norway and has yet to feature in a World Cup. His numbers are extraordinary. Last October, he became only the sixth player in history – and the first in 53 years – to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 appearances. The prolific striker also scores consistently for Manchester City.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi has scored 117 goals in 199 appearances for Argentina and 13 goals in 26 World Cup matches. One of football’s greatest goalscorers will turn 39 during the tournament, but he continues to score with remarkable ease. Messi has netted 35 times in his last 37 appearances for Argentina and is still breaking scoring records with Inter Miami. Curiously, the Golden Boot remains one of the few honours that has eluded him, despite being one of only two players to score more than six goals in a single edition without winning the award.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 226 appearances for Portugal and eight goals in 22 World Cup matches. International football’s all-time leading scorer remains as prolific as ever. The 40-year-old continues to set new milestones with Al Nassr and has scored 25 goals in his last 30 appearances for Portugal. Ronaldo saw limited game time after falling out with coach Fernando Santos during the 2022 World Cup, but under Roberto Martinez he has been a regular starter.
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Yamal has scored six goals in 25 appearances for Spain and has not yet played in a World Cup. The winger will be just six days past his 19th birthday when the World Cup concludes and could become the youngest player ever to win the Golden Boot. The current record belongs to James Rodriguez, who was one day past his 23rd birthday when he claimed the prize in 2014.
Ousmane Dembele (France)
Dembele has scored seven goals in 59 appearances for France and is yet to score in 11 World Cup matches. How does a player with those numbers rank among the favourites? At club level, Dembele has transformed from a dazzling winger into a lethal finisher, scoring 55 goals for Paris Saint-Germain over the last two seasons. With the unstoppable Mbappe leading the line for France, Dembele is likely to operate either behind him or out wide.
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Vinicius Jr (Brazil)
Vinicius has scored nine goals in 49 appearances for Brazil and one goal in four World Cup matches. Given his position and relatively modest scoring record compared to others on the list, the 25-year-old may appear an unexpected contender. However, Vinicius has scored more than 20 goals for Real Madrid in each of the last five seasons.
Raphinha (Brazil)
Raphinha has scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for Brazil and is yet to score in five World Cup matches. A constant threat from outside the box, the attacking midfielder has scored 55 goals in 90 appearances for Barcelona since the start of the 2024/25 season. Raphinha is also expected to take Brazil’s penalties and some free-kicks, which could further boost his chances of finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.
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