The race for the golden boot at the World Cup is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage after Erling Haaland scored again to close the gap on Lionel Messi at the top, with Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe also still in the race.
The stars continue to dominate at this tournament, none more so than Messi after backing up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria to highlight one of his greatest traits after a penalty miss. Another arrived off the bench against Jordan – inevitably.
However, Haaland scored for the 13th straight international when he netted an 86th-minute winner in Norway’s last-32 clash with Ivory Coast to send his side into the last 16 and move on to five goals for the tournament – just one behind Messi.
Kylian Mbappe has been in excellent scoring touch himself as he once again thrives on the biggest stage, while Harry Kane is there or thereabouts, too, after heading home against Panama in England’s final group game. Vinicius Jr also stamped his mark with a brace against Scotland while Ousmane Dembele hit a superb hat-trick against Norway to throw his hat in the ring.
If players are tied for goals, the number of assists will determine who ranks higher. If there is still a tie, it comes down to minutes played and the goals-per-minute ratio. Here are the latest 2026 World Cup golden boot standings:
World Cup golden boot standings
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 6 goals
2. Erling Haaland (Norway), 5 goals
3. Kylian Mbappe (France), 4 goals, (2 assists)
= 4. Ousmane Dembele (France), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)
6. Deniz Undav (Germany), 3 goals (2 assists)
= 7. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 7. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 3 goals (1 assist)
= 7. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands, 3 goals (1 assist)
= 9. Jonathan David (Canada), 3 goals
= 9. Ismael Saibari (Morocco), 3 goals
= 9. Matheus Cunha (Brazil), 3 goals
= 9. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands), 3 goals
= 9. Elijah Just (New Zealand), 3 goals
= 9. Harry Kane (England), 3 goals
= 9. Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), 3 goals
= 9. Kai Havertz (Germany), 3 goals
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