World Cup 2026 is the biggest ever after the expansion to 48 and 104 matches – and that means more goals.
Some top-class marksmen are on show at this summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
They’ll be doing all they can to fire their teams to the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July but no doubt would love to get their hands on the Golden Boot as well.
Read more World Cup 2026: Watch on TV | Matches on today | Fixtures & results | Radio coverage | Stadium guide | BBC presenters | ITV presenters | Highlights
France forward Kylian Mbappé won the award in Qatar four years ago, while England skipper Harry Kane finished top of the charts in 2018.
Could Mbappé or Kane become the first player to achieve the feat twice or will another player join the ranks of Gary Lineker, Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose as a World Cup Golden Boot winner?
Radio Times will keep you up to date with the World Cup 2026 top scorers.
World Cup 2026 top scorers
Players with 11+ goals. Ranked in order of goals, assists, and goals per 90.
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- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 3 goals (0 assists)
- Folarin Balogun (USA) – 2 goals (0 assists)
- Yasin Ayari (Sweden) – 2 goals (0 assists)
- Kai Havertz (Germany) – 2 goals (0 assists)
- Elijah Just (New Zealand) – 2 goals (0 assists)
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 2 goals (0 assists)
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 2 goals (0 assists)
Updated as of Wednesday 17 June.
Who will win the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot?
Pre-tournament predictions.
France are one of the favourites to win World Cup 2026, so it’s no surprise that many are tipping Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot. Despite missing games in 2025/26 due to injury, the 27-year-old has scored 42 goals for Real Madrid this season.
It would be foolish to write off Mbappé’s compatriot Ousmane Dembélé, who heads into the tournament as the Ligue 1 player of the season. Whether he’s playing off the flanks or through the middle, the Frenchman knows where the goal is.
If England are to end 60 years of hurt in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, Harry Kane will need to be in the goals. The striker has scored 146 goals in 147 games since swapping Spurs for Bayern Munich, including 61 this term.
Erling Haaland is, in the eyes of many, the best No. 9 on the planet. His hopes hinge on how far Norway can go this summer but they are dark horses after winning every game in qualifying.
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal announced himself on the international stage at Euro 2024 and now looks to make his mark at a World Cup. The European champions are the favourites to win this summer’s tournament and he is a big reason why.
World Cup 2026 could be the final time we see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at a major tournament.
Messi will be central to Argentina’s hopes of defending the title they won in Qatar 2022, while Ronaldo is arguably the greatest goalscorer of all time.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
