A list of the top contenders for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot has been compiled
The authoritative publication Goal has released a ranking of the top contenders for the Golden Boot award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The list includes the tournament’s top scorers, who have already found the back of the net during the group stage.
Top 10 Contenders for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot
10. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, 2 goals)
Midfielder Johan Manzambi helped Switzerland defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina (4–1), scoring twice after coming off the bench and effectively turning the match around.
9. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, 2 goals)
Forward Vinícius Júnior scored in the match against Morocco and added two more goals in the game against Haiti, securing a convincing 3–0 victory for Brazil.
8. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands, 2 goals)
Cody Gakpo made an impact in the match against Sweden (5–1), recording a goal and an assist.
7. Ayase Ueda (Japan, 2 goals)
Forward Ayase Ueda continues his scoring streak following a successful club season and scored a brace in the match against Tunisia (4–0).
6. Crisencio Summerville (Netherlands, 2 goals)
Winger Crisencio Summerville is making a spectacular debut at the 2026 World Cup, scoring in two group stage matches.
5. Jonathan David (Canada, 3 goals)
Forward Jonathan David scored a hat trick in the match against Qatar, bringing his total to 3 goals in the tournament.
4. Deniz Undav (Germany, 3 goals)
Deniz Undav has been highly productive, scoring in key matches and adding assists to his tally.
3. Erling Haaland (Norway, 4 goals)
Top scorer Erling Haaland scored two braces in the group stage, securing important victories for Norway.
2. Kylian Mbappé (France, 4 goals)
Kylian Mbappé scored in the match against Senegal and netted a brace against Iraq, emerging as the leader of France’s attack.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, 5 goals)
Captain Lionel Messi topped the scoring charts after a hat trick in the match against Algeria (3–0) and a brace against Austria. He also set a historic record—18 goals in World Cups—becoming the sole leader of the tournament’s scoring chart.
Argentine forward Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Argentine forward Lionel Messi scored against the Austrian national team, adding his 17th goal in World Cup finals to his tally.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Football Association has decided not to renew the contract of Unai Melgosa, head coach of Ukraine’s U-21 national team. The Spanish coach’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
The 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Iraq was in danger of being canceled due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the second round of group stage matches took place.
