Messi Takes Lead in FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Race Ahead of Mbappe and Haaland

Lionel Messi currently sits atop the Golden Boot chart at the FIFA World Cup 2026, edging ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland following some intense matchups.

Mbappe found the net with the only goal in a tense clash between France and Paraguay, securing a quarter-final spot for Les Bleus. This goal brought his tournament tally to seven, matching Messi's total before Argentina's round of 16 game against Egypt and bringing his overall World Cup career goals to 19.

Haaland, playing for Norway, also has seven goals after scoring twice in a historic victory over Brazil. The Manchester City striker scored a header with 12 minutes remaining and added another goal in the final minute of regular time.

Despite those efforts, Messi reclaimed the lead by scoring a crucial equaliser during Argentina's comeback win against Egypt in Atlanta. He has now scored in every match of this tournament and in nine consecutive World Cup games overall. With eight goals in this edition, he trails the single-tournament record held by Just Fontaine, who netted 13 goals in six matches in 1958, by just five.

Harry Kane is close behind with six goals after converting a penalty in England’s dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, a match where England finished with ten players. The Bayern Munich forward extended his World Cup record for successful penalty kicks (excluding shootouts) to six.