All the top forwards on the planet have showed up over the past five weeks in North America, making this a battle for the ages – perhaps one that will never be topped.
Lionel Messi was leading the way with eight goals during what has been another standout tournament from the Argentina captain. He became the first player in history to notch in six successive World Cup knockout games, after surpassing Germany great Miroslav Klose during the group stage to become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Kylian Mbappe beat Lionel Messi to the Golden Boot award at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
AFP via Getty Images
He also assisted a goal for Bradley Barcola to take him level on that front with Messi on four.
Those efforts left Messi with it all to do in Sunday’s final against Spain and drawing a blank in the final means he has been beaten to the prestigious award by Mbappe for the second tournament in a row.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were both still in the running for the Golden Boot heading into the weekend, though neither player started for England against France as head coach Thomas Tuchel rang the changes.
However, Bellingham came on and scored his seventh goal of the World Cup in a thrilling 6-4 victory for the Three Lions, with Ousmane Dembele also on target to move him on to six.
World Cup 2026 top scorers
|
Position |
Player |
Nation |
Goals |
Assists |
|
1 |
Kylian Mbappe |
France |
10 |
4 |
|
2 |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
8 |
4 |
|
=3 |
Jude Bellingham |
England |
7 |
1 |
|
= 3 |
Erling Haaland |
Norway |
7 |
0 |
|
=5 |
Ousmane Dembele |
France |
6 |
2 |
|
=5 |
Harry Kane |
England |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
Mikel Oyarzabal |
Spain |
5 |
1 |
Table correct as of July 19, 2026.
