The race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot reaches its final chapter today as Argentina and Spain prepare to battle for the World Cup title at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kylian Mbappé enters the final day of the tournament as the leading scorer with 10 goals after netting twice in France’s dramatic 6-4 loss to England in Saturday’s third-place playoff. Although the France captain has completed his campaign, his lead is still within reach of Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals and remains the only player capable of overtaking him.
At 39 years old, Messi has one last opportunity to guide Argentina to back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles while chasing another individual milestone. A memorable performance against Spain could see the Argentine legend add the Golden Boot to an already extraordinary career.
Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who has scored five goals, will also look to finish the tournament on a high, although he is no longer mathematically able to catch Mbappé.
With the World Cup trophy and the Golden Boot both on the line, today’s final promises to deliver one last unforgettable chapter to FIFA World Cup 2026.
World Cup 2026 top scorers table LIVE
| 1. Kylian Mbappé | France | 10 | 4 |
| 2. Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 4 |
| 3. Jude Bellingham | England | 7 | 1 |
| 4. Erling Haaland | Norway | 7 | 0 |
| 5. Ousmane Dembélé | France | 6 | 2 |
| 6. Harry Kane | England | 6 | 1 |
| 7. Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 5 | 1 |
| 8. Ismaïla Sarr | Senegal | 4 | 1 |
| 9. Julián Quiñones | Mexico | 4 | 1 |
| 10. Vinícius Júnior | Brazil | 4 | 1 |
| 11. Bukayo Saka | England | 3 | 3 |
| 12. Deniz Undav | Germany | 3 | 2 |
| 13. Johan Manzambi | Switzerland | 3 | 2 |
| 14. Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 3 | 1 |
| 15. Lautaro Martínez | Argentina | 3 | 1 |
| 16. Charles De Ketelaere | Belgium | 3 | 1 |
| 17. Cody Gakpo | Netherlands | 3 | 1 |
| 18. Bradley Barcola | France | 3 | 1 |
| 19. Brian Brobbey | Netherlands | 3 | 0 |
| 20. Elijah Just | New Zealand | 3 | 0 |
Who is leading the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race?
Kylian Mbappé leads the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot standings with 10 goals after scoring twice in France’s third-place match against England.
The French superstar has completed his tournament, leaving Lionel Messi as the only player with a chance to catch him. The Argentina captain heads into today’s World Cup Final with eight goals, knowing that every strike against Spain could reshape the race for the tournament’s top scorer award.
Behind Mbappé and Messi, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland finished with seven goals, while Ousmane Dembélé and Harry Kane ended their campaigns with six. Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal enters the final with five goals and can still climb the standings, although he can no longer overtake Mbappé.
How is the World Cup Golden Boot winner decided?
The FIFA World Cup Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals during the tournament.
If two or more players finish level on goals, FIFA uses the following tiebreakers:
- Most assists
- Fewest minutes played
- Additional FIFA competition regulations, if necessary
Those criteria could become decisive if Lionel Messi finishes today’s final level with Kylian Mbappé on 10 goals.
Can Lionel Messi still win the Golden Boot?
Yes.
Messi remains the only player capable of denying Mbappé the Golden Boot.
The Argentina captain begins the World Cup Final with eight goals and needs:
- Two goals to draw level with Mbappé on 10.
- Three goals to win the Golden Boot outright with 11.
If Messi scores exactly twice, FIFA will apply the official tiebreakers, starting with assists and then minutes played, to determine the winner.
Which players are still active in the Golden Boot race?
Only two players among the tournament’s leading scorers remain in action ahead of today’s FIFA World Cup Final:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 8 goals, 4 assists
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) — 5 goals, 1 assist
While Oyarzabal can still improve his position in the final standings, Messi is the only player with a realistic chance of taking the Golden Boot away from Kylian Mbappé. The Argentina captain needs a remarkable performance in today’s final to finish as the FIFA World Cup 2026 top scorer.
