FINAL RESULT (July 19): Kylian Mbappé wins the Golden Boot with 10 goals — his second in a row, the first player ever to win it twice. He struck twice in France’s third-place win over England to pull two clear of Messi (8), then Messi was held scoreless as Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Mbappé now has 22 career World Cup goals, past Klose’s 16; Messi has 21.

Kylian Mbappé now leads the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race. The France captain scored his 8th goal of the tournament in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco on July 9, pulling level with Lionel Messi on goals — and moving ahead of him on the first tiebreaker, assists, with 3 to Messi's 1. Erling Haaland sits one goal back on 7, Harry Kane has 6, and with every one of the top scorers still alive in the bracket, this is the tightest top-scorer race in modern World Cup history. Bookmark this tracker — we update it after every remaining match through the July 19 final.

Who Has the Most Goals in the World Cup 2026? Full Standings

Here is the Golden Boot leaderboard after the first quarterfinal (updated July 10):

  • 1. Kylian Mbappé (France) — 8 goals, 3 assists — STILL ALIVE (semifinal July 14)
  • 2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 8 goals, 1 assist — STILL ALIVE (quarterfinal vs Switzerland, July 12)
  • 3. Erling Haaland (Norway) — 7 goals — STILL ALIVE (quarterfinal vs England, July 11)
  • 4. Harry Kane (England) — 6 goals — STILL ALIVE (quarterfinal vs Norway, July 11)
  • 5. Ousmane Dembélé (France) — 5 goals — STILL ALIVE (semifinal July 14)
  • 6. Jude Bellingham (England) — 4 goals — STILL ALIVE
  • 7. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) — 4 goals — STILL ALIVE (quarterfinal vs Belgium, July 10)
  • 8. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) — 4 goals — ELIMINATED (Brazil fell to Norway)

It is the first World Cup ever with three players on 7+ goals. For the full bracket picture of which nations remain, see our who's-still-in tracker.

How Mbappé Took the Lead: The Morocco Quarterfinal

Mbappé's night in Boston was pure drama. He missed a first-half penalty against Yassine Bounou, then answered in the 60th minute with a brilliant curling finish to break Morocco open — his 8th of the tournament and his 10th career World Cup knockout-stage goal, passing Brazil's Ronaldo for the all-time knockout record. He then turned provider, assisting Ousmane Dembélé's clincher in the 2-0 win. That assist is what vaulted him past Messi in the standings, and it left Mbappé just one goal shy of Messi's newly extended all-time World Cup career scoring record. France now await the Spain-Belgium winner in Dallas.

Who Can Still Catch Mbappé?

Every serious contender is still playing, which is exactly why this race is live:

  • Lionel Messi (8): Argentina face Switzerland on July 12 and could play up to three more matches. Level on goals — one Messi goal retakes outright first.
  • Erling Haaland (7): Fresh off a brace that knocked out Brazil, Norway's striker gets England on July 11 with up to three more games. One behind, and in the form of his life.
  • Harry Kane (6): The 2018 Golden Boot winner needs two to draw level, but England's penalty-box machine has three potential matches left.
  • Ousmane Dembélé (5): Mbappé's teammate keeps scoring — though France's remaining games (max two) limit his runway.
  • Mikel Oyarzabal (4): A long shot, but Spain's route — starting with Belgium on July 10 — offers up to four more matches. Our Spain-Belgium preview breaks that quarterfinal down.

Mbappé, meanwhile, has a maximum of two games left: the July 14 semifinal at Dallas Stadium and, if France advance, the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium. The chasers with quarterfinals still to play have one extra match to work with.

How Is the Golden Boot Decided? Tiebreakers Explained

The adidas Golden Boot goes to the tournament's top goalscorer, with two tiebreakers if players finish level:

  • 1. Most assists. This is why Mbappé (3 assists) currently ranks above Messi (1) despite both having 8 goals.
  • 2. Fewest minutes played. If goals and assists are both equal, the player who needed less time on the pitch wins.

Every goal in every remaining match — semifinals, the third-place game, and the final — counts toward the award, which is presented after the final on July 19.

Golden Boot History: Recent Winners and Records

Mbappé is chasing back-to-back Golden Boots, something no player has ever done. He won in 2022 with 8 goals — including a hat trick in the final — edging Messi's 7. Harry Kane won in 2018 with 6 goals, and James Rodríguez took 2014 with 6. The single-tournament record remains untouchable-looking: Just Fontaine's 13 goals for France in 1958. Mbappé already matching his own 2022 total of 8 with two possible games left means the best return since Ronaldo's 8 in 2002 — and possibly since Gerd Müller's 10 in 1970 — is genuinely in play.

Every World Cup Golden Boot Winner (Full List, 1930-2026)

The all-time list — the answer to “who won the Golden Boot” at every World Cup:

  • 2026: TBD — Mbappé leads (this page tracks it live)
  • 2022: Kylian Mbappé (France) — 8 goals
  • 2018: Harry Kane (England) — 6
  • 2014: James Rodríguez (Colombia) — 6
  • 2010: Thomas Müller (Germany) — 5
  • 2006: Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 5
  • 2002: Ronaldo (Brazil) — 8
  • 1998: Davor Šuker (Croatia) — 6
  • 1994: Hristo Stoichkov & Oleg Salenko — 6
  • 1990: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) — 6
  • 1986: Gary Lineker (England) — 6
  • 1982: Paolo Rossi (Italy) — 6
  • 1978: Mario Kempes (Argentina) — 6
  • 1974: Grzegorz Lato (Poland) — 7
  • 1970: Gerd Müller (West Germany) — 10
  • 1966: Eusébio (Portugal) — 9
  • 1958: Just Fontaine (France) — 13, the all-time record
  • 1954: Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) — 11
  • 1950: Ademir (Brazil) — 8
  • 1938: Leônidas (Brazil) — 7
  • 1934: Oldřich Nejedlý (Czechoslovakia) — 5
  • 1930: Guillermo Stábile (Argentina) — 8

Golden Boot vs Golden Ball: What's the Difference?

The Golden Boot goes to the tournament's top scorer (assists, then fewer minutes, break ties). The Golden Ball is different — it's awarded to the best overall player of the World Cup, voted by media (Messi won it in 2022). One player can win both, but it's rare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who leads the World Cup Golden Boot?

Kylian Mbappé leads the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot. He and Lionel Messi both have 8 goals, but Mbappé is ahead on the first tiebreaker with 3 assists to Messi's 1. Erling Haaland is third with 7 goals.

How many goals does Mbappé have in the World Cup 2026?

Mbappé has 8 goals and 3 assists. His latest goal came in France's 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco on July 9, where he also assisted Ousmane Dembélé.

How is the Golden Boot decided?

Most goals wins. If players are tied, most assists is the first tiebreaker; if they are still tied, the award goes to the player with the fewest minutes played.

Who won the Golden Boot in 2022?

Kylian Mbappé won the 2022 Golden Boot with 8 goals, including a hat trick in the final against Argentina. Harry Kane won in 2018 with 6 goals, and the all-time record is Just Fontaine's 13 in 1958.