Messi moves ahead in World Cup Golden Boot race
Lionel Messi has eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, putting him one ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland before the quarterfinals.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Lionel Messi has taken sole possession of the 2026 World Cup scoring lead after Argentina’s last-16 win over Egypt, Al Jazeera reported. The race matters because the Golden Boot goes to the tournament’s top scorer, with several former winners still in contention.
Al Jazeera reported that Messi scored his eighth goal of the tournament on Tuesday in Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Egypt in Atlanta. The goal pulled Argentina level after it had fallen 2-0 behind, and Argentina went on to reach the quarterfinals.
Messi had been tied with France forward Kylian Mbappe and Norway striker Erling Haaland on seven goals, according to Al Jazeera. Haaland joined them Sunday with two goals in Norway’s round-of-16 win over Brazil.
Al Jazeera reported that Messi was the first player in the knockout stage to reach seven goals, doing so when Argentina beat Cape Verde on Friday. Mbappe matched that total a day later as France defeated Paraguay.
Top scorers at the tournament
According to Al Jazeera, Messi leads the scoring table with eight goals and one assist. Mbappe is second with seven goals and two assists, while Haaland has seven goals and no assists.
- Lionel Messi, Argentina: 8 goals, 1 assist
- Kylian Mbappe, France: 7 goals, 2 assists
- Erling Haaland, Norway: 7 goals, 0 assists
- Harry Kane, England: 6 goals, 1 assist
- Ousmane Dembele, France: 4 goals, 2 assists
- Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain: 4 goals, 1 assist
England captain Harry Kane moved to six goals after scoring in England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico late Sunday, Al Jazeera reported. France’s Ousmane Dembele and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal are on four goals each.
How the award is decided
FIFA awards the Golden Boot to the player who finishes the World Cup with the most goals, Al Jazeera reported. If players are tied on goals, assists are used as the first tiebreaker.
If goals and assists still do not separate players, Al Jazeera reported that FIFA gives the award to the player who recorded those goals and assists in the fewest minutes. Mbappe is the defending Golden Boot winner after scoring eight goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Former winners chasing another title
Mbappe, Kane and Colombia’s James Rodriguez are all seeking a second Golden Boot, according to Al Jazeera. Kane won the award at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Rodriguez was the top scorer at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Al Jazeera reported that no player has won the Golden Boot more than once. Mbappe is scheduled to get the first quarterfinal chance among the leading contenders when France plays Morocco on Thursday.
World Cup scoring records
Al Jazeera reported that Just Fontaine of France holds the single-tournament record with 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Sandor Kocsis scored 11 in 1954, while West Germany’s Gerd Muller scored 10 in 1970.
Messi also leads the all-time World Cup scoring list with 21 goals, according to Al Jazeera. Mbappe has 19, followed by Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16, Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15, and Kane and Muller with 14 each.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.