Lionel Messi has 5 goals through two group-stage matches, while Haaland and Mbappé each have 4, and Ronaldo has 2.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi leads the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race with 5 goals in two games, becoming the all-time men’s World Cup top scorer with 18 goals.
- Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each have 4 goals, with Mbappé now on 16 career World Cup goals.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race for top scorer is heating up, and some of soccer's biggest names are already putting together memorable tournaments.
Lionel Messi sits atop the scoring charts after two group-stage matches, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are right behind him. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still chasing more history as he competes in his sixth World Cup.
Here's where some of the tournament's biggest stars stand so far with goals.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): 5 Goals
Messi has been unstoppable in what may be his final tournament. The Argentine legend leads the 2026 World Cup with five goals, including a hat trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. Those performances helped him become the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 18 career goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose.
Kylian Mbappé (France): 4 Goals
Mbappé is once again proving why he's one of the sport's biggest stars. The French captain has scored four times in two matches, highlighted by a brace against Senegal. The performance pushed him past Just Fontaine as France's all-time leading World Cup scorer. Mbappé now owns 16 career World Cup goals, tying Klose for second-most all time among men's players.
Ousmane Dembélé (France) — 4 goals
Ousmane Dembélé has surged into the Golden Boot race with four goals after delivering one of the tournament’s most memorable performances. The French winger erupted for a first-half hat trick in France’s 4-1 victory over Norway, becoming just the third French player to score a World Cup hat trick and recording one of the fastest hat tricks in World Cup history. Combined with the goal he scored against Iraq earlier in the group stage, Dembélé now sits level with teammate Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland, trailing only Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament’s top scorer.
Erling Haaland (Norway): 4 Goals
Haaland has wasted little time making his mark in his first World Cup. The Norwegian striker opened the tournament with two goals against Iraq before adding another brace against Senegal. That gives him four goals in just two matches. Known for his incredible scoring pace at both club and international level, Haaland entered the World Cup with 57 goals in 51 competitive matches for Norway.
Vinícius Jr. (Brazil) — 4 goals
Vinícius Jr. has been one of Brazil's most consistent finishers in the group stage, scoring four goals across three matches. He found the net in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco, added two more in a 3-0 win over Scotland, and scored again to join rare company in Brazilian World Cup history.
By scoring in all three group-stage matches, Vinícius became just the fifth Brazilian player to accomplish that feat at a single World Cup, joining Jairzinho, Romário, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo.
Deniz Undav (Germany): 3 Goals
Germany's surprise scoring leader has been Deniz Undav. The striker has found the net three times through the opening phase of the tournament and has emerged as one of the early breakout stars. If he keeps up this pace, Undav could find himself firmly in the Golden Boot conversation.
Jonathan David (Canada): 3 Goals
Jonathan David continues to shine for Canada. The Lille striker has scored three goals so far, helping Canada remain competitive in a difficult group while strengthening his reputation as one of North America's top attacking players. With more group-stage matches still to come, David has a chance to make even more history for Canadian soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 2 Goals
Ronaldo may be one of the oldest players in the tournament at 41, but he's still making history. The Portuguese superstar has scored twice against Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup and remains one of the tournament's biggest stars as he competes in his sixth appearance on soccer's grandest stage. Already the all-time leader in men's international goals, Ronaldo is chasing another deep tournament run as Portugal eyes its first World Cup title.
Harry Kane (England): 2 Goals
England captain Harry Kane has quietly climbed the record books. His two-goal performance against Croatia brought his career World Cup total to 10 goals, tying Gary Lineker for the most by an English player. Kane's finishing and leadership remain critical as England looks to end its own long championship drought.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt): 1 Goal
Mohamed Salah hasn't exploded offensively just yet, but Egypt's captain is officially on the scoresheet. The Liverpool star has recorded one goal through Egypt's opening two World Cup matches, giving him his second career World Cup goal and keeping the Pharaohs in the hunt for a spot in the knockout rounds. At 34 years old, Salah remains one of the tournament's stars and Egypt's most important player.
The Golden Boot Race is just getting started
Messi currently leads the field, but with Mbappé and Haaland only one goal behind, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open.
As legends like Ronaldo and Kane chase milestones of their own, the 2026 World Cup could produce more unforgettable moments before the knockout rounds even begin.
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Source: Complex
