Mbappé and Messi lead with 6 goals each, Haaland and Kane breathing down their necks — the Golden Boot race is ruthless
Mbappé and Messi both have 6 goals at the 2026 World Cup. Haaland and Kane are right behind on 5. Vinicius Jr. sits on 4. The Golden Boot race is absolutely ruthless.
Six goals. That's the mark Mbappé and Messi share at the top of the scoring charts at this World Cup — and neither man is showing any sign of letting up.
France sent another message in the round of sixteen. Against Sweden in New York, Mbappé found the net twice with his trademark ice-cold composure. Michael Olise could have walked away with a hat-trick but settled for two assists and a performance that, according to The Guardian, left the stadium speechless. France won comfortably — and the feeling, as the Guardian noted, is that they haven't even shown everything yet.
On the other side of the bracket, Erling Haaland moved to five goals in Norway's victory over Ivory Coast, closing right in on the leaders. Harry Kane did the same: two goals against DR Congo secured England's qualification and took the Bayern striker to the same tally as Haaland — five in total, according to Sky Sports.
Vinicius Jr. sits just behind them with four goals for Brazil, level with Ousmane Dembélé.
Golmetria's model places Argentina as the biggest favourites for the title, with a 19.8% chance — ahead of France (12.6%) and England (8.7%). But in Golden Boot terms, it is Messi who carries the weight of the Albiceleste's number 10 shirt.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who finally got off the mark at this World Cup with a brace against Uzbekistan, along with names like Jonathan David and Ismaila Sarr, are still mathematically in the hunt — but the gap to the front three is very real.
The question that lingers: can anyone still force their way into this conversation, or does the Golden Boot already belong to one of Messi, Mbappé, or Haaland?