Mbappe leads scoring as Spain top World Cup defensive charts
Al Jazeera’s tournament figures show the 2026 World Cup produced 308 goals across 104 matches, with Spain champions and Mbappe the top scorer.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup as champions, and the tournament’s numbers show how broad the expanded event became. Al Jazeera reported that the competition ran for 39 days across three host nations, 16 venues and 104 matches, with 48 teams, 1,039 players and 308 goals.
Al Jazeera reported that Spain defeated Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19. The figures also show France forward Kylian Mbappe led the individual scoring charts, while Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove after Spain recorded the most clean sheets.
Mbappe tops the goal list
According to Al Jazeera, Mbappe won the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals and adding four assists. Al Jazeera reported that he became the first player to reach 10 goals at a single World Cup since West Germany’s Gerd Muller in 1970.
Al Jazeera said Mbappe also became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals after scoring his second goal in France’s third-place match against England. Argentina’s Lionel Messi finished second in the 2026 scoring table with eight goals and four assists.
- 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, 2 assists
Al Jazeera reported that England’s Jude Bellingham became the first English player to score seven goals at a World Cup. France midfielder Michael Olise led the assist standings with seven, while Messi, Mbappe, Norway’s Martin Odegaard, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz and Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes each had four.
England and France set the attacking pace
Al Jazeera’s team statistics put England and France level at the top for goals, with 20 each. France had 18 assists, 139 attempts and 59 shots on target, while England had 14 assists, 118 attempts and 52 on target.
- England: 20 goals, 14 assists
- France: 20 goals, 18 assists
- Argentina: 19 goals, 12 assists
- Spain: 14 goals, 10 assists
- Belgium: 14 goals, 10 assists
Goalkeepers and defensive records
Al Jazeera reported that Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made the most saves, with 28, including key stops in Paraguay’s win over Germany and two saves in the penalty shootout that sent Paraguay into the round of 16. Curacao’s Eloy Room was next with 21 saves.
- Orlando Gill, Paraguay: 28 saves
- Eloy Room, Curacao: 21 saves
- Emiliano Martinez, Argentina: 20 saves
- Gregor Kobel, Switzerland: 20 saves
- Diogo Costa, Portugal: 20 saves
- Jordan Pickford, England: 19 saves
- Yassine Bounou, Morocco: 19 saves
Al Jazeera reported that Spain led the tournament with seven clean sheets. France, Colombia and Mexico each had four, while Argentina, Morocco, England, Brazil, Ivory Coast and Paraguay each had two.
Cards and goals conceded
Al Jazeera reported that Argentina received the most yellow cards, with 15, followed by Egypt with 12 and Canada with 11. Paraguay had nine, while Brazil, England, Switzerland, Colombia and Ecuador each had eight.
Qatar and South Africa each received two red cards, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported that Qatar’s Assim Madibo was sent off for a challenge on Canada’s Ismael Kone that caused a serious injury.
Al Jazeera’s defensive figures listed Iraq, Tunisia and England as the teams that conceded the most goals, with 12 each. Uzbekistan and Norway allowed 11, while New Zealand, Sweden, France and Qatar each conceded 10.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.