The race for the top scorer award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified following the completion of the quarter-finals, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading the scoring charts.
Both superstars have netted eight goals each heading into the semi-finals, placing them at the top of the standings as they continue their pursuit of the tournament’s top scorer award.
Norway striker Erling Haaland finished the competition with seven goals after his country’s quarter-final exit to England, leaving him unable to add to his tally.
England captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham remain firmly in contention with six goals apiece.
Bellingham boosted his chances after scoring both goals in England’s 2-1 victory over Norway to send the Three Lions into the last four.
Messi maintained his eight-goal haul after failing to score in Argentina’s extra-time win over Switzerland, having earlier produced a stunning hat-trick against Egypt in the Round of 16 despite missing a penalty.
Mbappe also endured mixed fortunes in France’s quarter-final victory over Morocco.
The French forward missed from the penalty spot but later found the net to keep pace with Messi at the top of the scoring chart.
With only the semi-finals and final remaining, the battle for the Golden Boot is expected to go down to the wire, with all four leading contenders still capable of finishing as the tournament’s highest scorer.
The leading marksmen will also have one eye on history. Former France striker Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, set in 1958, remains the benchmark. Only Fontaine, Germany’s Gerd Muller (1970) and Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis (1954) have ever reached double figures in one edition of the tournament.
Top scorers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 8 goals
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals
- Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals
- Jude Bellingham (England) – 6 goals
