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World Cup 2026 top scorers: Who will win the Golden Boot?
Your complete guide to World Cup 2026 top scorers, including who is most likely to go all the way and win the Golden Boot.
(Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
- Ned Holmes
Published: Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 11:20 am
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France striker Kylian Mbappe has laid out a challenge to Argentina talisman Lionel Messi on the final weekend of World Cup 2026.
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Messi's main aim in Sunday's final will be to lead his team to victory but the Golden Boot race needs to be settled as well.
Mbappe's brace has moved him onto 10 goals for the tournament, two more than the Argentine forward, and could see him become the first player to top score at two World Cups.
Read more World Cup 2026: Watch on TV | Matches on today | Fixtures & results | Radio coverage | Stadium guide | BBC presenters | ITV presenters | Highlights
Can Messi respond at the New York New Jersey Stadium in what is surely his last chance to win the Golden Boot?
It's a tough ask against a Spain side that have conceded just once in the tournament but you would never write the maestro off.
Radio Times will keep you up to date with the World Cup 2026 top scorers.
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World Cup 2026 top scorers
Players with 6+ goals. Ranked in order of goals, assists, and goals per 90.
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- Kylian Mbappe (France) - 10 goals (4 assists)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals (4 assists)
- Jude Bellingham (England) - 7 goals (1 assist)
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals (0 assists)
- Ousmane Dembele (France) – 6 goals (2 assists)
- Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals (1 assist)
Updated as of Sunday 19 July
Who will win the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot?
Pre-tournament predictions.
France are one of the favourites to win World Cup 2026, so it's no surprise that many are tipping Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot. Despite missing games in 2025/26 due to injury, the 27-year-old has scored 42 goals for Real Madrid this season.
It would be foolish to write off Mbappé's compatriot Ousmane Dembélé, who heads into the tournament as the Ligue 1 player of the season. Whether he's playing off the flanks or through the middle, the Frenchman knows where the goal is.
If England are to end 60 years of hurt in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, Harry Kane will need to be in the goals. The striker has scored 146 goals in 147 games since swapping Spurs for Bayern Munich, including 61 this term.
Erling Haaland is, in the eyes of many, the best No. 9 on the planet. His hopes hinge on how far Norway can go this summer but they are dark horses after winning every game in qualifying.
Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal announced himself on the international stage at Euro 2024 and now looks to make his mark at a World Cup. The European champions are the favourites to win this summer's tournament and he is a big reason why.
World Cup 2026 could be the final time we see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at a major tournament.
Messi will be central to Argentina's hopes of defending the title they won in Qatar 2022, while Ronaldo is arguably the greatest goalscorer of all time.
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Authors
Ned Holmes
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
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