It has been a World Cup where football’s biggest stars have performed – and it is resulting in one of the most competitive Golden Boot races in history.
Lionel Messi leads the way with his eight goals at the ripe old age of 39, but both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are also on fire and close behind on seven, with Harry Kane also in the race on six.
And with Argentina, France, Norway and England all still in the competition as we reach the quarter-final stage, the race to finish the tournament as top scorer is only going to heat up, with even the players themselves talking about it.
But which player is most likely to take the award? 101GreatGoals takes a closer look at all the main contenders ahead of the last eight.
Golden boot race contenders
Lionel Messi
Eight goals, one assist, five appearances, 410 minutes played
The 2022 World Cup seemed to be his final flourish on the world stage, but four years later he is still proving why he is arguably the greatest of all time, scoring an extraordinary eight goals in five appearances for Argentina in a run which has seen him smash Miroslav Klose’s record as the competition’s all-time leading scorer as he now sits on 21 goals.
While the 39-year-old superstar is not a clinical striker like his rivals and is barely mobile at times on the pitch, but he still knows how to burst into life at the right moment.
What’s more, the whole Argentina side is built around getting their icon into a position where he can make the difference, because he is still the best equipped to do so.
Argentina were heading out of the competition before Messi’s late equalising goal against Egypt in the round of 16 and he is now on a nine-game scoring run at the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe
Seven goals, two assists, five appearances, 441 minutes played
Messi should enjoy being the World Cup’s record goalscorer for as long as he can, because Mbappe is going to take that mantle from him at some point in his career.
The France icon already has 19 World Cup goals in 19 games in the competition, including seven in North America.
After some difficulties at club level with Real Madrid, the World Cup seems to be where Mbappe comes alive, with the 27-year-old brilliantly combining with a stacked France frontline and putting in the sort of displays that has seen many name them as favourites.
Mbappe edges out his team-mates for assists so far, which could prove crucial if the race ends level. The biggest factor, however, may be that he is playing for a side which looks like it could go the distance.
Erling Haaaland
Seven goals, no assists, four appearances, 360 minutes played
Only eight players have breached the eight-goal tally at the World Cup in the near-100-year history of the competition – but there are three who are on the brink of doing so so in 2026, with Haaland joining Mbappe on seven so far – albeit the expanded format has no doubt helped.
Haaland’s record is perhaps the most impressive of the four we have highlighted, having managed his seven in one less game and almost 100 fewer minutes – as well as the fact he has done it for relative underdog Norway.
Any worries the 25-year-old may struggle to perform on the world stage have instantly been rubbished, and his excellent double to beat Brazil in the last 16 showcased the striking sensation’s absolutely ruthless edge, taking his international record to a ridiculous 62 goals in 54 caps.
The Golden Boot often goes to the player who stays in the competition, which could count against Haaland with reaching the final surely a step too far for Norway despite their impressive World Cup.
Beat England, however, and Haaland may have as good a chance as any of his rivals.
Harry Kane
Six goals, one assists, five appearances, 443 minutes played
One thing that binds these four players together is their huge importance to their respective sides – and Kane is no different with England.
The Bayern Munich striker is another who has the relentless consistency with six goals and an assist so far, with his match-winning brace against DR Congo also seeing him become England’s record World Cup goalscorer and go fifth in the all-time list overall.
But even by Kane’s standards, the 2025-26 season, following into this summer has been nothing short of sensational, after becoming only the second male player ever to surpass 70 goals in a single season.
It’s been the Kane and Jude Bellingham show for England at this World Cup so far, meaning he is sure to keep himself in contention if the Three Lions stay in the competition up to the semi-final or final.
Anyone else?
Six players are on four goals but only three’s teams are still in the competition, namely Ousmane Dembele, Mikel Oyarzabal and aforementioned Bellingham.
Both Dembele and Bellingham are unlikely to outshine the main goalscorers in their teams, but Oyarzabal will surely add to his tally if Spain are to win a second World Cup.
Even so, eclipsing the tally of the leading pack might prove too difficult.
Golden Boot winner: Our verdict
Norway are the most likely to bow out early, taking Haaland out the equation, while one of Messi or Kane will miss out on the chance to play three more games with a semi-final meeting likely.
With France in such top form and appearing set for a third straight World Cup final, we’re backing Mbappe to add another Golden Boot to list of achievements.
Our prediction: Kylian Mbappe
