World Cup 2026 golden boot tiebreakers: What happens if players with most goals are tied?

THE World Cup is heading for a dramatic finale with Argentina taking on Spain in the blockbuster showpiece on Sunday. Losing semi-finalists France and England also have another game before they head home as they face off in Saturday’s third-place play off. Lionel Messi is currently leading the race for the golden boot Credit: Getty England pair Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane can still win the golden boot despite being knocked out of the World Cup Credit: Getty The four nations still have players in the race for the golden boot, with many of the sport’s superstars eyeing the individual accolade. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are currently joint-leaders with eight goals at the tournament so far, while England pair Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham aren’t far behind on six. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Ousmane Dembele and Mikel Oyarzabal are just about in the conversation with five goals each, but they will both require something special in front of goal in their final appearance. The race for the golden boot is heading for a thrilling climax with very little separating some of the world’s best. SunSport brings you all you need to know on the golden boot tiebreakers, should there be two or more players tied for goals scored after the whistle blows in the final. World Cup golden boot tiebreakers: What happens if players with most goals are tied? The World Cup golden boot goes to the player with the most goals at the tournament. Should players be tied for goals scored at the end of the global showpiece, the winner is the one with the most assists. If still tied, the golden boot goes to the player with the fewest minutes played. Most read in Football Do goals in the third-place play off count towards the golden boot? Yes! Goals scored in the third-place play off between England and France will count towards a player’s tally and the race for the golden boot. This means that while their nations’ World Cup campaigns are over, Mbappe, Dembele, Kane and Bellingham can still claim the individual accolade. Messi and Oyarzabal play in the World Cup final a day later, meaning they will know what figure they will need to hit when the game begins. Comment now