Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the standout scorers in the early stages of the 2026 World Cup, setting new records and fueling a competitive race for the tournament’s top scorer honors. Messi, 38 and representing Argentina, has netted five goals in the first two matches, bringing his career World Cup tally to 18—the highest ever recorded. Mbappe, 27, has scored four goals for France, tying with Miroslav Klose for second place on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring list with 16.
Messi’s recent performances include a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace in a 2-0 victory over Austria, where he showcased his skill and determination by following up on a blocked shot to seal the win. Despite his age, Messi continues to display exceptional energy, precision, and creativity on the field, attributes that have allowed him to remain at the pinnacle of international soccer through six World Cup tournaments. Argentina has already secured a place in the knockout stages, with the veteran forward expected to play a central role in the team’s push for a consecutive title.
Mbappe, who was the Golden Boot winner and World Cup champion in 2018 at age 19, remains a formidable adversary. His pace, power, and scoring efficiency have kept him on an upward trajectory, with 16 goals amassed in just 16 World Cup appearances since 2018. Although Mbappe downplays the significance of chasing Messi’s record, focusing instead on team success, his performances continue to command attention as France also advanced to the next round.
Norway’s Erling Haaland is another key figure in the Golden Boot race, having already scored four goals in the tournament’s opening matches. The Manchester City striker has been instrumental in Norway’s unexpected strong start, including wins against tough opponents, and is a potential contender to challenge both Messi and Mbappe if his team progresses further. His coach, Stale Solbakken, praised Haaland as one of the world’s best strikers, although Mbappe maintained that Messi remains the best overall player.
Other notable scorers include Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended a scoring drought with two goals against Uzbekistan, raising his own World Cup total to 10, and England’s Harry Kane, who remains in contention. The tournament is generating remarkable offensive output, raising the prospect of challenging longstanding records such as Just Fontaine’s 13 goals in a single World Cup set in 1958.
As Argentina and France prepare to meet in the final group stage match, both teams have already clinched spots in the knockout rounds. The winner will claim the top position in the group, setting up a high-profile showdown between two of the tournament’s brightest stars. With several matches still to play, the battle for the Golden Boot and the potential rewriting of World Cup scoring history remain key storylines as the tournament unfolds across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.