The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns have produced some of the most memorable goal-scoring performances in the history of international football. These marathon campaigns, spanning multiple years across all confederations, have witnessed legendary strikers etch their names in football folklore.
From Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent record-equaling feat to Lionel Messi’s South American dominance, the race for FIFA World Cup qualifiers top scorers all-time in qualification continues to captivate fans worldwide.
The battle for most goals in a single World Cup by a player often begins in these gruelling qualification matches, where nations fight for their World Cup dreams. While the top 10 most goals in World Cup tournaments themselves grab headlines, the qualification phase reveals the true goal-scoring giants who consistently deliver for their countries.
Unlike the FIFA Club World Cup top scorers all-time, who shine on the club stage, these international heroes carry the hopes of entire nations.
The Elite 10: World Cup Qualifying Goal-Scoring Legends
Table of Contents
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 41 Goals in 52 Appearances
The Portuguese phenomenon surpassed Carlos Ruiz’s all-time record with his penalty conversion against Hungary on 10 September 2025. At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to defy age and expectations, leading Portugal’s charge toward the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s UEFA World Cup qualifying goal tally represents one of football’s most remarkable achievements – maintaining elite international performance across four decades. With three goals already in the current campaign, Ronaldo is poised to become the outright record holder, adding another chapter to his extraordinary career that includes 141 total international goals.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 41 |
| Appearances | 52 |
| Goals per Game | 0.78 |
| Active Campaign | 2026 (5 goals in 5 games) |
2. Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala) – 39 Goals in 47 Appearances
Carlos Ruiz remains Guatemala’s greatest football export and holds the prestigious record for most World Cup qualifying goals in history. The prolific striker dominated CONCACAF qualifying from 1998 to 2016, serving as Guatemala’s captain and talisman.
Despite his remarkable goal-scoring prowess across five World Cup qualifying campaigns, Ruiz’s greatest achievement remains unfinished – Guatemala never qualified for a World Cup during his tenure. His consistency was legendary, scoring in crucial moments and establishing himself as the benchmark for longevity in international qualifying. In the list, Carlos Ruiz is the World Cup qualifiers top scorers along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 39 |
| Appearances | 47 |
| Goals per Game | 0.83 |
| Qualification Campaigns | 5 (1998-2018) |
3. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 36 Goals in 72 Appearances
For the first time in his illustrious career, Messi finished as the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying for the 2026 tournament with 8 goals. Messi is the World Cup qualifiers top scorers in the 3rd position.
The Inter Miami superstar has been Argentina’s qualifying backbone across six CONMEBOL campaigns since 2005. His 36 qualifying goals make him the highest scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification history, surpassing Uruguay’s Luis Suárez.
Despite playing more games than his rivals, Messi’s longevity and consistency have been remarkable, contributing to Argentina’s qualification for every World Cup since his debut.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 36 |
| Appearances | 72 |
| Goals per Game | 0.50 |
| 2026 Campaign Goals | 8 (Top Scorer) |
4. Ali Daei (Iran) – 35 Goals in 51 Appearances
The Iranian legend held the world record for international goals (109) for nearly two decades before Ronaldo surpassed him. Daei’s World Cup qualifying record spans three campaigns where he consistently terrorized Asian defenses.
His 35 qualifying goals helped Iran reach the 1998 and 2006 World Cups, establishing him as Asia’s greatest striker. The former Bayern Munich forward was renowned for his aerial ability and clinical finishing, becoming the first Asian player to score in multiple World Cup tournaments and paving the way for future generations of Asian footballers.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 35 |
| Appearances | 51 |
| Goals per Game | 0.69 |
| World Cup Participations | 2 (1998, 2006) |
5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 34 Goals in 44 Appearances
Poland’s all-time leading scorer, Robert Lewandowski, has been a consistent force in European World Cup qualifying for over a decade.
The Barcelona striker’s 32 qualifying goals include his record-breaking 15 goals during the 2018 World Cup European qualifiers – the most by any player in a single European qualifying campaign.
Lewandowski’s clinical finishing and positional intelligence have made him one of the most feared strikers in qualifying history. His leadership guided Poland to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, establishing him as one of Europe’s premier international goal scorers.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 34 |
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals per Game | 0.78 |
| Single Campaign Record | 15 goals (2018 qualifiers) |
6. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 30 Goals in 44 Appearances
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s captain and all-time leading scorer has been instrumental in his nation’s World Cup qualifying campaigns since 2007. Džeko’s 29 qualifying goals include 10 goals during the historic 2014 World Cup qualification campaign that secured Bosnia’s first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Fiorentina striker’s aerial prowess and intelligent movement have made him a constant threat in European qualifying. At 39, he continues to lead Bosnia’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, demonstrating remarkable longevity and commitment to his national team.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 29 |
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals per Game | 0.71 |
| Historic Achievement | Led Bosnia to first World Cup (2014) |
7. Chris Wood (New Zealand) – 29 Goals in 31 Appearances
New Zealand’s captain pulled off an impressive milestone, guiding the All Whites to their first World Cup appearance since 2010 and netting 9 goals in the 2026 OFC qualifiers.
With a stellar goals-per-game rate of 0.94—the best among the top 10—Wood proved his remarkable efficiency in the scarce chances Oceania qualifying offers.
The Nottingham Forest striker’s consecutive hat-tricks against Samoa and Fiji in 2025 demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stage, ultimately securing New Zealand’s place in the expanded 2026 World Cup.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 29 |
| Appearances | 31 |
| Goals per Game | 0.94 |
| 2026 OFC Qualifying | 9 goals (Campaign Winner) |
8. Sardar Azmoun (Iran) – 29 Goals in 41 Appearances
Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun has emerged as one of Asia’s most reliable qualifying scorers, tallying 29 goals in 41 World Cup qualifying appearances. Known for his intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and ability to score in crucial moments, Azmoun has been central to Iran’s qualification campaigns and consistently delivers against regional rivals in AFC competition.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 29 |
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals per Game | 0.71 |
| Key Achievement | Consistent scorer in AFC qualifying campaigns and a key figure for Iran’s World Cup bids |
9. Luis Suarez (Uruguay) – 29 Goals in 64 Appearances
Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer was previously the top goal scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying before Messi surpassed him. Suárez’s 29 qualifying goals include memorable performances like his four-goal haul against Chile in 2011, which remained the last time any CONMEBOL player scored four goals in a qualifier until Colombia’s Luis Suárez matched the feat in 2025.
The former Barcelona and Liverpool striker’s tenacious style and crucial goals helped Uruguay qualify for four consecutive World Cups from 2010 to 2022, cementing his legacy as one of South America’s greatest strikers.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 29 |
| Appearances | 64 |
| Goals per Game | 0.45 |
| Notable Performance | 4 goals vs Chile (2011) |
10. Karim Bagheri (Iran) – 28 Goals in 29 Appearances
Iran’s attacking midfielder holds the distinction of having the second-best goals-per-game ratio among top scorers, with 0.97 goals per appearance. Bagheri was a crucial figure in Iran’s 1998 World Cup qualification campaign, contributing significantly to the nation’s return to the World Cup after 20 years.
His technical ability and set-piece expertise made him one of Asia’s most feared players during the 1990s. Though his international career was relatively brief compared to others on this list, his impact was immense, helping establish Iran as a consistent force in Asian football.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 28 |
| Appearances | 29 |
| Goals per Game | 0.97 |
| Key Achievement | 1998 World Cup Qualification |
12. Kazuyoshi Miura (Japan) – 27 Goals in 25 Appearances
The legendary Japanese striker boasts the highest goals-per-game ratio among all top scorers with an incredible 1.08 goals per appearance. “King Kazu” was instrumental in Japan’s early World Cup qualifying campaigns during the 1990s, helping establish the foundation for Japan’s emergence as an Asian football powerhouse.
Kazu Miura’s 27 goals in just 25 qualifying appearances represent one of the most efficient scoring records in World Cup qualifying history. Miura’s influence extended far beyond goals, as he helped professionalize Japanese football and inspired generations of players who followed.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 27 |
| Appearances | 25 |
| Goals per Game | 1.08 |
| Legacy | Japanese football pioneer |
List of the World Cup qualifiers top 10 Goal scorers all-time
| Rank | Player | Country | World Cup qualifying goals (appearances) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 41 (52) | All-time leading scorer in WC qualifying (record reached in 2025 qualifiers). |
| 2 | Carlos Ruiz | Guatemala | 39 (47) | CONCACAF legend — high tally across multiple campaigns. |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 36 (72) | Key contributor across many CONMEBOL campaigns. |
| 4 | Ali Daei | Iran | 35 (51) | One of Iran’s all-time great scorers. |
| 5 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland | 34 (44) | Poland’s talisman — consistently high qualifying returns. |
| 6 | Edin Džeko | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 30 (44) | Long-serving Bosnia striker with strong qualifiers record. |
| 7 | Luis Suárez | Uruguay | 29 (64) | Prolific over many CONMEBOL qualifying campaigns. |
| 8 | Chris Wood | New Zealand | 29 (31) | Key goals to help New Zealand secure 2026 spot. |
| 9 | Sardar Azmoun | Iran | 29 (41) | Important goals for Iran across qualifying cycles. |
| 10 | Karim Bagheri | Iran | 28 (29) | Excellent goals-to-games ratio in qualifiers. |
