The stars have not disappointed at the 2026 World Cup — especially the best goal scorers in the world. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane have combined to score 28 goals in the World Cup, as they’ve led their nations into the quarterfinals.
They comprise the top four players in the World Cup Golden Boot race heading into the final three rounds of the tournament. The question is, which player has the best path to being the top goalscorer in the final three rounds of the World Cup?
Below, we’ll break down the top players for the Golden Boot race based on the favorites via PrizePicks Team Picks, and explain why they might end up as the top goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup as we head into the knockout rounds.
During the 2026 World Cup, you can make predictions on players like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé to win the Golden Boot, score goals in individual matches, and more on PrizePicks.
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2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race Standings, Favorites: Who Has the Most Goals?
Heading into the World Cup Quarterfinals, the Golden Boot is down to 4 real contenders, and there aren’t any major surprises here.
With every world-class goal scorer living up to expectations in the World Cup, the Golden Boot race is tight as we head into the Quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have been trading places atop the implied odds board for each of the past few rounds. Now it’s Messi’s turn to be at the top with a one goal lead. But now tiebreakers must be looked at, with goals assisted and fewest minutes played potentially coming into play.
The players listed below are currently the favorites to win the Golden Boot award, via PrizePicks Team Picks. The list consists only of players whose teams have not yet been eliminated.
Lionel Messi leads all World Cup goal scorers with 8, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are just one goal behind, with 7 each. Alone in fourth is England’s Harry Kane, with 6 goals.
Here are the full Golden Boot race standings entering the World Cup quarterfinals.
Find more daily World Cup predictions and expert picks here
2026 World Cup Golden Boot Winners List, History
Here is a complete list of past World Cup Golden Boot winners, for comparison to the current standings. Please note, this year’s World Cup is expanded to 48 teams, which means an additional round of matches in the knockout stage — and more upside for goals.
The award for the World Cup’s top goal scorer was officially given out for the first time at the 1982 World Cup, where it was called the Golden Shoe. In 2010, the award was renamed the Golden Boot.
Results below will only track since the award was created in 1982. That said, the record for most goals in a World Cup is Just Fontaine in 1958, who scored 13 goals for France.
- 2022: Kylian Mbappé, France – 8 Goals
- 2018: Harry Kane, England – 6 Goals
- 2014: James Rodríguez, Colombia – 6 Goals
- 2010: Thomas Müller, Germany – 5 Goals
- 2006: Miroslav Klose, Germany – 5 Goals
- 2002: Ronaldo, Brazil – 8 Goals
- 1998: Davor Šuker, Croatia – 6 Goals
- 1994: Oleg Salenko, Russia – 6 Goals; Hristo Stoichkov, Bulgaria – 6 Goals
- 1990: Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, Italy – 6 Goals
- 1986: Gary Lineker, England – 6 Goals
- 1982: Paolo Rossi, Italy – 6 Goals
2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race Predictions, Pick to Win
Here are three players to consider for your 2026 World Cup Golden Boot picks on PrizePicks Team Picks heading into the knockout rounds, led by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Lionel Messi, Argentina – 8 Goals
Lionel Messi World Cup Golden Boot Winner Payout: Yes 2.27x | No 1.58x
If not for Messi’s heroics, Argentina are likely watching the rest of the tournament from home. His piledriver of a goal tied things against Egypt in a match they’d eventually win, following a comeback from 2-0 down.
That goal kept him atop of the Golden Boot race with 8 goals, moving him back into the favorite spot to win the award. He leads all players in shots on target per match (3.73) and shots per match (6.37), as well as with his 1.10 xG per match.
With Colombia eliminated, Argentina’s path to the final just got much clearer. That’s another reason Messi’s chance to win have shortened. That said, Switzerland won’t be an easy matchup for him in the quarterfinals.
The Swiss have allowed just 0.87 xG per match, and allow the ninth-fewest penalty box touches per match. They force a lot of long-range efforts, and have a great goalkeeper in Gregor Kobel.
Even so, who would bet against Messi the way he’s playing right now? Argentina may not repeat as champions, but he’s putting his nation on his back and carrying them through the tournament with his magical left foot.
Pick Lionel Messi to win the World Cup Golden Boot on PrizePicks
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Kylian Mbappé, France – 7 Goals
Kylian Mbappé World Cup Golden Boot Winner Payout: Yes 2.32x | No 1.56x
Paraguay did everything they could to deny Kylian Mbappé and France a win. They kicked the French players repeatedly, fouled them every opportunity they had, and frustrated them at every turn.
But Mbappé got the final word, converting a penalty earned after Désiré Doué earned the spot kick following a sensational dribble. The goal was his seventh of the tournament, and he’s tied with Messi for the most efforts on target of any player.
If Mbappé finds the back of the net against Morocco, he will become the first player in history to score 8 goals or more in two different World Cup tournaments. His 2 assists also give him an edge over Messi, who has registered just one thus far.
Morocco have allowed quite a few penalty box touches, but only 0.82 xG per match. Mbappé may find things tough against Morocco as he did against Paraguay, but finding the back of the net could still be in the cards.
Pick Kylian Mbappé to win the World Cup Golden Boot on PrizePicks
Harry Kane, England - 6 Goals
Harry Kane World Cup Golden Bot Winner Payout: Yes 8.33x | No 1.05x
England are expected to defeat Norway when the two nations face on Saturday — signaled by their implied 65% chance to advance on PrizePicks Team Picks. If that happens, it’s unlikely that Harry Kane won’t be among the goalscorers for Three Lions.
It also would likely see him jump Erling Haaland in the favorites, which means a sharp reduction from his current payout on PrizePicks Team Picks of 8.33x to win the Golden Boot.
Kane’s penalty against Mexico put him on 6 goals from just 3.42 xG. But it’s his assist on Jude Bellingham’s second goal that will give him the advantage on tiebreaker, should he pull level with Haaland in the weekend.
Of the top four Golden Boot contenders, Kane has put the fewest shots on target (10) and has the lowest xG. His ability to shoot from distance is underrated, and he’s often dropping into midfield to link up.
Kane’s 30 penalty box touches are the eighth-most of any player, and he’s taking on a Norway side that has allowed the fourth-most touches inside their penalty box. We could see him take a big step forward in the Golden Boot race.
Pick Harry Kane to win the World Cup Golden Boot on PrizePicks
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Make World Cup Golden Boot Winner Predictions on PrizePicks
We are down to the final eight teams, and the final eight matches of World Cup 2026. The Golden Boot race is one of the tightest in recent memory.
Four world class goal-scorers sit within two goals of each other, and the quarterfinals could go a long way towards determining the player who wins the award.
No matter who you think scores the most goals in the 2026 World Cup, you can make your Golden Boot prediction on PrizePicks and get paid if you’re right.
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