Lionel Messi is currently at the forefront of the 2026 World Cup's top scorers list, having netted five goals in just two group stage matches. Meanwhile, both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are close behind, each with four goals, making the race for the Golden Boot a thrilling competition that is expected to continue until the tournament's conclusion.
The Argentine captain's impressive lead is the result of two extraordinary performances. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria on June 17 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City—his first World Cup hat-trick—and added a brace against Austria on Monday at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, ensuring Argentina's progression as the top team in Group J with six points.
Current Top Scorers
The tournament's leading scorers are as follows:
Lionel Messi (Argentina): 5 goals
Kylian Mbappé (France): 4 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway): 4 goals
Deniz Undav (Germany): 3 goals
Jonathan David (Canada): 3 goals
Mbappé achieved his four goals with braces against Senegal and Iraq, the latter match resulting in a 3-0 victory for France on Monday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, allowing them to advance with a perfect record.
In addition to his quest for the tournament lead, Mbappé has matched the historic World Cup goal total of 16 set by Germany's Miroslav Klose before Messi surpassed it.
Haaland's Impact
Haaland, on the other hand, delivered a brace against Senegal on Monday at the MetLife Stadium, securing a 3-2 win for Norway, marking their return to the World Cup after 28 years. This victory underscores the Manchester City striker's role as the standout Nordic threat in the competition.
Beyond the race for the top scorer, Messi has already captured the most significant historical moment of this World Cup edition. His brace against Austria not only surpassed Klose's record, making him the top World Cup scorer with 18 goals over six tournaments, from Germany 2006 to the current event, but also saw him join the ranks of legends by scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches—a feat only achieved by Just Fontaine in 1958 and Jairzinho in 1970.
Among the contenders vying for the top spots are Germany's Deniz Undav and Canada's Jonathan David, each with three goals and looking to climb the leaderboard in the matches ahead.
At 39, in what is likely his final World Cup, Messi not only leads the Golden Boot race but also continues to reshape the history of the competition with each match he plays.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 World Cup Scoring Race
Who is leading the 2026 World Cup scoring race?
Lionel Messi leads the scoring race with five goals.
How many goals have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland scored?
Both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have scored four goals each.
What significant record did Lionel Messi break?
Lionel Messi became the top World Cup scorer of all time with 18 goals, breaking Miroslav Klose's previous record.