The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot has turned into one of the biggest storylines heading into the tournament’s final weekend. While the World Cup trophy remains the ultimate prize, the battle to finish as the competition’s top scorer has become just as exciting.
Several of football’s biggest names are still in contention, and with the third-place playoff and the World Cup Final still to be played, the Golden Boot race remains wide open. A single goal in either match could completely change the final standings.
From Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi to Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Mikel Oyarzabal, some of the world’s biggest stars still have a realistic chance of finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Current FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Rankings
Before the World Cup Final, the Golden Boot leaderboard looks like this:
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 7 | 8 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 6 | ||
| 3 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 5 | 7 |
| 4 | Harry Kane | England | 6 | 6 |
| Jude Bellingham | England | 6 | ||
| 6 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | 7 | 5 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 7 | ||
| 8 | Ismaïla Sarr | Senegal | 4 | 4 |
| Vinicius Junior | Brazil | 5 | ||
| Julián Quiñones | Mexico | 5 | ||
| 11 | Deniz Undav | Germany | 4 | 3 |
| Johan Manzambi | Switzerland | 4 | ||
| Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 6 | ||
| Cody Gakpo | Netherlands | 4 | ||
| Charles De Ketelaere | Belgium | 5 | ||
| Folarin Balogun | United States | 4 | ||
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 5 | ||
| Raúl Jiménez | Mexico | 4 | ||
| Kai Havertz | Germany | 4 | ||
| Yoane Wissa | DR Congo | 4 | ||
| Brian Brobbey | Netherlands | 4 | ||
| Elijah Just | New Zealand | 3 | ||
| Matheus Cunha | Brazil | 5 | ||
| Jonathan David | Canada | 5 | ||
| Ismael Saibari | Morocco | 5 |
With multiple players still involved in either the final or the third-place playoff, the rankings could still change dramatically.
Mbappé and Messi Are Still Neck and Neck
For much of the tournament, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi have traded places at the top of the scoring chart.
Both players have produced moments of brilliance throughout the competition, scoring in crucial knockout matches while leading their respective nations deep into the tournament.
Their eight-goal tally has set up one of the closest Golden Boot races in recent World Cup history. If either player scores again in their remaining match, they could move into sole possession of first place.
If they finish level on goals, FIFA applies tiebreakers based on assists and, if necessary, total minutes played.
Can Harry Kane Still Win the Golden Boot?
Harry Kane may trail the leaders by two goals, but he is far from out of the race.
England’s captain has six goals entering the tournament’s closing stages and still has an opportunity to add to his tally. Kane already won the Golden Boot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and another strong performance could put him back among football’s elite goalscorers.
England have relied heavily on Kane’s finishing throughout the tournament, and another multi-goal performance would completely change the Golden Boot picture.
Jude Bellingham’s Breakout World Cup
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament has been Jude Bellingham’s incredible attacking output.
Known primarily as a midfielder, Bellingham has scored six goals and provided key assists throughout England’s World Cup campaign.
His late runs into the penalty area and ability to score in big moments have transformed him into one of the breakout stars of the competition.
Even if he doesn’t finish with the Golden Boot, his performances have placed him firmly among the favorites for several post-tournament awards.
Spain’s Oyarzabal Has Quietly Entered the Conversation
Spain’s run to the final has also boosted Mikel Oyarzabal, who now has five goals.
His latest strike moved him alongside Spanish legends David Villa and Emilio Butragueño for the most goals scored by a Spain player in a single World Cup edition.
If Oyarzabal finds the net again in the final, he could move much closer to the tournament leaders and potentially secure the Silver or Bronze Boot.
Why the Third-Place Playoff Matters
Many fans overlook the third-place playoff, but it can play a huge role in deciding the Golden Boot.
Goals scored in the third-place match count toward the Golden Boot standings just like goals scored in the final.
That gives players like Mbappé and Dembélé another opportunity to improve their totals before the tournament officially ends.
How Is the Golden Boot Winner Decided?
The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals during the FIFA World Cup.
If two or more players finish the level on the same number of goals, FIFA uses the following tiebreakers:
- Most assists
- Fewest minutes played
- If still tied, the players remain level in the official standings
Penalty shootout goals do not count toward the Golden Boot. Only goals scored during normal time and extra time are included.
Who Is Most Likely to Finish on Top?
With Spain already through to the final and either England or Argentina joining them, the race remains unpredictable.
Here are the leading contenders:
⭐ Kylian Mbappé
Still tied for first and guaranteed another appearance in the third-place playoff.
⭐ Lionel Messi
Another goal could secure one more individual World Cup award before his international career comes to an end.
⭐ Harry Kane
Needs a big performance but has proven many times that he thrives under pressure.
⭐ Jude Bellingham
A midfielder chasing the Golden Boot would be one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
⭐ Mikel Oyarzabal
Spain’s top scorer still has the biggest stage left to play.
Final Prediction
The Golden Boot race is likely to remain undecided until the final whistle of the World Cup Final.
Mbappé and Messi currently have the advantage, but Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Mikel Oyarzabal are still capable of producing one unforgettable performance.
My prediction is that Kylian Mbappé narrowly wins the Golden Boot, although Lionel Messi remains only one goal away from changing the story completely. If England reach the final, Harry Kane could also make a dramatic late charge.
Regardless of who finishes first, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered one of the most competitive Golden Boot races in recent memory, with several of football’s biggest stars battling until the final weekend.
Who is leading the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race?
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are currently tied for first with eight goals each.
Can Harry Kane still win the Golden Boot?
Yes. Kane has six goals and can still overtake the leaders with a strong finish if he plays another match.
Do goals in the third-place playoff count?
Yes. Goals scored in the third-place playoff count toward the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot standings.
What happens if two players finish with the same number of goals?
FIFA first uses assists as the tiebreaker. If players are still level, the award goes to the player who played fewer minutes.
Who won the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
France’s Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot in Qatar after scoring eight goals.
