2026 World Cup Golden Boot: The Epic Battle Continues Between Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi
The World Cup has concluded, with Spain emerging as global champions for the second time after a victory over Argentina.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi battled intensely for the Golden Boot as the tournament reached its exhilarating finale.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Since its rebranding from the Golden Shoe in 2010, four players have claimed the World Cup Golden Boot.
Thomas Muller was the inaugural winner in South Africa, netting five goals as Germany clinched third place, including one in the playoff against Uruguay.
James Rodriguez shone in Brazil by securing the 2014 Golden Boot with six goals, surpassing Muller, who scored five that year.
In 2018, an Englishman took the title as Harry Kane scored six goals for the Three Lions, leading them to a fourth-place finish in Russia.
THE RIGHT tone
Ivan Toney claims ‘aura and swagger’ earned him a spot in the England World Cup squad
Cheesed off
Roy Keane reveals how a CHEESE SANDWICH dispute led to him turning down a World Cup spot
Kylian Mbappe made history by winning the 2022 Golden Boot with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the World Cup final against Argentina, outscoring Lionel Messi’s seven.
The rivalry between these two stars continues in North America, and SunSport can reveal the top contenders for the Golden Boot in 2026.
Who is leading the race for the Golden Boot?
Mbappe’s two goals in France’s 6-4 defeat to England during the third-place playoff were critical in his pursuit of the title.
This brace brought his total to 10 goals, making him the tournament’s leading scorer and surpassing Messi.
The Argentine legend couldn’t match Mbappe’s performance, resulting in the French star securing the accolade for a second time.
1 Kylian Mbappe (France) – 10 (4 assists)
2 Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 (4 assists)
T-3 Jude Bellingham (England) – 7 (1 assist)
T-3 Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7
T-5 Ousmane Dembele (France) – 5 (2 assists)
T-5 Harry Kane (England) – 6 (1 assist)
7 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 5 (1 assist)
T-8 Vinicius Jr (Brazil) – 4 (1 assist)
T-8 Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – 4 (1 assist)
T-8 Julian Quinones – 4 (1 assist)
World Cup golden boot tiebreakers: What happens if players are tied?
The Golden Boot is awarded to the athlete with the most goals throughout the tournament.
If players finish equal on goals after the tournament, the player with the most assists will take the title.
Should there still be a tie, the award will be granted to the player who spent the least amount of time on the field.
