2026 World Cup Golden Boot tracker: Will Messi, Mbapp, or other score most goals?
Connor O'Halloran
Jul 9, 2026, 07:27 PM ET
We're into the quarterfinals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the race for the Golden Boot -- given to the tournament's top goal scorer -- is red-hot.
The main contenders are also the most obvious names: Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé, Norway's Erling Haaland and England's Harry Kane.
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Here are the main contenders for the title. Is there still time for others to play their way into contention?
(Note: FIFA's rules state that if two players are tied on most goals, then their assist total will be used as a decider. If the assist totals are also the same, then the player who has played fewer minutes at the tournament will be ranked first)
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https://www.espn.com/football/story/_/id/49117037/lionel-messi-erling-haaland-kylian-mbappe-harry-kane-folarin-balogun-world-cup-golden-boot-top-scorer