There were concerns that the expanded format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup might dilute the talent display and produce too many one-sided games. But ever since Cape Verde kept European champions Spain to an exhilarating goalless draw at the start of the tournament, football fans have been enthralled by the game’s most prestigious competition.
We have had plenty of upsets and surprise results already, but it is also true that the big names have delivered. Some very familiar names will fall by the wayside as the knockout rounds continue, joining traditional powerhouses like the Netherlands and Germany in making their way home, but the Golden Boot race looks set to go the distance.
In recent times, the best goal scorers have not even needed to find the net too often to take home the prize. Before this tournament, only Kylian Mbappé had scored more than seven since Gerd Müller managed 10 in 1970. But the French striker, alongside Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, is among those on course to better that. For those considering using a Bovada bonus code on the Golden Boot market, this year’s race offers several high-profile options. But who will score the most goals?
Lionel Messi
Everyone thought four years ago that Argentina beating France to claim its third World Cup title was the perfect way for Lionel Messi to see out his international career. He hadn’t moved to MLS at that point, but it was widely believed that the Qatar tournament would be his swansong for Argentina.
Although there are still critics pointing to MLS being a weaker league, Messi’s form for his national side has never been better. In fact, the team seem to be playing around him now, realizing that he is the one who will take them to glory. A hat-trick in the opening game, and then another three in the group stage alone, suggests that Messi will be in the running for the Golden Boot this summer, one of the few awards he has never won.
Kylian Mbappé
Lionel Messi has already broken the record at these finals for the most goals scored in World Cup history, overcoming Miroslav Klose’s impressive tally of 16. The Argentinian maestro may well score a few more this summer, but it will surely be his final tournament appearance. But there is another top striker who also surpassed Klose’s record, and one that could play in another two or three finals yet,
Kylian Mbappé announced himself to many at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with his youthful pace and talent to the fore. If anything, the Real Madrid striker is now even more rounded as a player and has been leading France’s charge this summer. He scored four in the group stage and another two in the round of 32. With Les Bleus tipped by many to go all the way, Mbappé might well be picking up his second Golden Boot award alongside a World Cup winners’ medal this month.
Harry Kane
Sometimes candidates for Golden Boot awards do not come from a team that is an overwhelming favorite, but are recognized as players who will score the majority of goals their team manages throughout a tournament. England fans may sing about “football coming home”, but the Three Lions do not seem to be at the same level as France or Argentina. Harry Kane is showing that he still has what it takes, however.
Kane’s overall game – and medal haul – have greatly improved since he left the EPL for Bayern Munich a couple of years ago, and he has already shown at this tournament that he is England’s biggest chance of success. He scored two against Croatia and another against Panama, before saving England against DR Congo. England may not bring the trophy home, but Kane is his team’s best chance of goals.
Erling Haaland
He is recognized as one of the most prolific goal scorers in the modern game, but Erling Haaland has not previously had the chance to show whether he can repeat his heroics at a major international tournament. This is Norway’s first World Cup since 1998, and it hasn’t even played at a European Championship for 26 years.
Haaland has been making up for lost time in North America, however. He scored two against both Iraq and Senegal in the opening phase before being rested for the final group game against France. He then scored a more fortuitous winner against Côte d’Ivoire in the round of 32 without ever really looking dangerous. It is that ability to still score goals when not having the best of games that always makes Haaland a threat. Now Norway is beginning to believe it can do well at these finals, the Manchester City striker will have even more of an opportunity to stake a claim for the Golden Boot.
Golden Boot Winner, World Cup 2026
There are other top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo himself, who would also put themselves forward as Golden Boot candidates this summer. But it is more likely that one of the four players profiled will end up topping the goal chart. But which one?
The romantics might go for Messi, while younger fans may choose Haaland. But it is France who look like winning the World Cup this year, and Kylian Mbappé will be the player who scores the goals that help them claim their second title. He seems to be at the top of his game and shows no sign of slowing down as the tournament progresses. Kylian Mbappé is our pick for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot.
