FIFA World Cup 2026: Golden Boot standings

The fight for the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot is always one of the biggest storylines of the tournament, with the world’s best strikers competing not only for international glory but also for the honour of finishing as the competition’s top scorer.

The battle is heating up as the World Cup moves into the knockout stages, with Lionel Messi leading the way after bagging six goals in Argentina’s opening games. But with a number of lethal forwards still in the mix, the hunt for football’s biggest award is far from over.

The award was first known as the Golden Shoe, then it was renamed in 2010. This happens at the end of the tournament where FIFA checks who scored the most in the World Cup.  

The golden boot winner prediction is one of the most featured markets to bet on. Learn more about this prestigious award and bet on the World Cup on Bet.co.za on who is most likely to walk away with it.

What Is the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot? 

As mentioned above, the golden boot winner is awarded to the player with the most wins throughout the tournament. If there’s a tie, FIFA breaks it using the following: 

1. Most assists – they check the player with the highest number of assists. 

2. Minutes played – they check the player who logged the fewest minutes on the field.  

There can only be one Golden Boot winner; however, there is the Silver and Bronze Boot awarded to the second and third players.  

Now, you’re wondering who might walk away with the award this year… 

Who Could Win the Golden Boot 2026? 

It is no doubt that Kylian Mbappe is a top favourite. He’s currently the reigning winner for the golden boot in the FIFA World Cup 2022. He is a striker for France and Real Madrid and is known for being a goal-scoring freak. For his club, Mbappe scored 25 goals in 31 appearances in La Liga. He has a good chance of winning the award again this year.  

Lionel Messi currently leads the 2026 Golden Boot standings after scoring six times for Argentina’s opening matches in the tournament. The legendary footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked off his campaign with a stunning hat trick against Algeria.

He followed by two goals against Austria, setting a new record for the highest number of goals in World Cup history, bringing his total to 18. Although he started on the bench in the final group match against Jordan, he made a significant impact by scoring his sixth goal of the tournament, pulling ahead of his nearest competitors.

Another player who is most likely to take the cup is Harry Kane. He won the award in 2018, and with England placed in a favourable group this year, he might excel beyond measure. For his team, Bayern Munich, he scored a total of 36 goals in 31 appearances in the Bundesliga. He is worth looking out for.  

Ousmane Dembele netted a hat-trick as France beat Norway 3-1. Following a sensational group stage, he is among the tournament’s top scorers with four goals. France is one of the favourites to reach the final, giving him the chance to play the maximum possible number of matches.

His movement, finishing, and confidence have been outstanding. With creative talents like Mbappé playing with him, he’ll continue to have a lot of chances. If France reaches the semi-finals or final, he’s got a great chance of winning the Golden Boot.

Eerling Haaland is on four goals and remains Norway’s man of attack. Each Norwegian attack centres around him because he is their primary penalty taker and biggest goal threat.
His chances will depend on Norway’s progress. He’s got the finishing ability to outscore anybody if they can string together two more wins. A real contender, though Norway’s tougher route makes his task a touch harder than Dembélé’s.

Golden Boot previous winners 

Let’s take a look at the players who have won the Golden Boot award in the past ten years of the World Cup.  

• 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), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) – 6 goals (both finished with one assist) 

• 1990: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) – 6 goals 

• 1986: Gary Lineker (England) – 6 goals

Bet on the Golden Boot winner with Bet.co.za 

Bet on the Golden Boot winner and add even more excitement to every FIFA World Cup match. If you’re backing up the youngest established superstar or an outside contender, every goal can bring your prediction closer to success. 

From the opening match to the final whistle of the tournament, you’ll be able to follow the race for the Golden Boot as the world’s best strikers compete for this most prestigious individual scoring award. Bet on the Fifa World Cup with Bet.co.za, track the leaderboard, and enjoy all the action as the next Golden Boot winner is crowned.