World Cup 2026 top scorers: Why Lionel Messi is ahead of Kylian Mbappe in Golden Boot race

All the top forwards in the world have shown up over the past five weeks in North America, making this a race for the ages - perhaps one that will never be topped.Lionel Messi is leading the way with eight goals in what has been another standout tournament from the Argentina captain. He became the first player in history to notch in six successive World Cup knockout games, after surpassing Miroslav Klose to become the all-time World Cup leading goalscorer.However, Messi is on somewhat of a goal drought having not scored since the 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 16. That said, dipping back into his playmaker bag is the reason he is above Kylian Mbappe, also on eight goals, in the standings.As things stand, Messi would claim the individual award by virtue of creating more goals than Mbappe. This is because assists are used as the tie-breaker when players are level on goals, but with two games remaining at this summer’s World Cup, there are plenty of twists potentially in store.Kylian Mbappe won the World Cup 2018 Golden Boot awardAFP via Getty ImagesTherefore, Mbappe must register at least one goal contribution in Saturday’s bronze final against England to put pressure on Messi ahead of the World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday.Other contenders are England captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both on six goals. Though with two assists between them, one will likely have to score a hat-trick to win the award.Ousmane Dembele and Mikel Oyarzabal are further back with five goals each, but would require a minor miracle in their respective fixtures to have any chance of winning the Golden Boot.Here are the latest Golden Boot standings for the World Cup 2026...World Cup 2026 top scorersPositionPlayerNationGoalsAssists=1Lionel MessiArgentina84=1Kylian MbappeFrance833Erling HaalandNorway70= 4Jude BellinghamEngland61= 4Harry KaneEngland61=6Ousmane DembeleFrance52=6Mikel OyarzabalSpain51Table correct as of July 18, 2026.