The race for the Golden Boot

The Golden Boot goes to the tournament’s top scorer, and 2026’s expanded schedule — up to seven games for finalists — offers more chances than ever to fill your boots. France’s Kylian Mbappé claimed the award in 2022 with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final.

The contenders

Mbappé remains the man to beat, but Erling Haaland could finally grace a World Cup if Norway reach the finals, and Argentina, Brazil, Spain and England all boast prolific attackers. The extra knockout round means a hot streak can quickly climb the charts.

• Kylian Mbappé — 2022 Golden Boot winner
• Erling Haaland — elite finisher chasing a World Cup debut
• Forwards from Argentina, Brazil, Spain and England

A record in sight?

Just Fontaine’s 13 goals at a single World Cup, set in 1958, remains the record. No one has come close in the modern era, but with 104 matches on the calendar, 2026 offers the most generous stage yet for a striker to make history.