Messi or Mbappé? The 2026 Golden Boot Race is Wide Open

Lionel Messi announced his arrival at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, followed by two goals against Austria and a goal each in the subsequent fixtures. The 38-year-old captain sits alongside French forward Kylian Mbappé at the top of the Golden Boot race with eight goals, in what could be his final World Cup appearance.

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

Only three hat-tricks have been scored so far: Lionel Messi vs Algeria, Ousmane Dembele vs Norway, and Jonathan David vs Qatar.

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).

Messi’s Last Dance?

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.

World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Standings: Lionel Messi Leads Top Scorers, Mbappé and Haaland Chase — Erling Haaland Celebrating a Goal Against Senegal in a Previous Match at New Jersey Stadium
PHOTO | Erling Haaland | X

Harry Kane, 6 Goals

Kane has once again proved why he remains one of the world’s most clinical finishers. With six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kane has been instrumental in England’s run.

Having enjoyed another good season at Bayern Munich, the 33-year-old England captain arrived at the tournament in excellent form and has continued to deliver when his country needs him most, especially 2 goals against DR Congo in their round of 32 fixture when his team’s survival depended on him.

Already one of England’s greatest-ever goalscorers, Kane has the opportunity to add another major individual honor to his career.

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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