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The Golden Boot race at the 2026 World Cup has not disappointed, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading the pack heading into the semifinals.
The race is coming down to the wire as both Mbappe and Messi enter the final four with eight goals apiece.
Those two are the clear front-runners, but England stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are in the mix with six goals each at the World Cup. France winger Ousmane Dembele is an outside contender with five goals. Erling Haaland will finish high atop the leaderboard but won't quite take home the Golden Boot after concluding his first World Cup with seven goals.
Spain and France will face off in the first semifinal on Tuesday, July 14 before Argentina takes on England the following day.
More: World Cup bracket predictions 2026: Our picks for Argentina-England, Spain-France
Mbappe and Messi are also in a battle for the most career goals at a World Cup. Messi has set the record at this tournament, reaching 21 after his goal against Egypt in the round of 16, but Mbappe hit back with his 20th career goal in France's quarterfinal win over Morocco.
Mbappe won the Golden Boot in 2022 with eight goals, while Messi finished in second with seven.
Follow along as USA TODAY tracks all of the top scorers.
This article will be updated.
Buy 2026 World Cup final tickets
The Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals scored at the World Cup. Ties are broken by the player, or players, with the most assists. Further ties are broken by the player, or players, with the fewest minutes played.
Players in bold still in tournament
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Boot race: Messi and Mbappe lead pack at 2026 World Cup
Continue reading...
The race is coming down to the wire as both Mbappe and Messi enter the final four with eight goals apiece.
Those two are the clear front-runners, but England stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are in the mix with six goals each at the World Cup. France winger Ousmane Dembele is an outside contender with five goals. Erling Haaland will finish high atop the leaderboard but won't quite take home the Golden Boot after concluding his first World Cup with seven goals.
Spain and France will face off in the first semifinal on Tuesday, July 14 before Argentina takes on England the following day.
More: World Cup bracket predictions 2026: Our picks for Argentina-England, Spain-France
Mbappe and Messi are also in a battle for the most career goals at a World Cup. Messi has set the record at this tournament, reaching 21 after his goal against Egypt in the round of 16, but Mbappe hit back with his 20th career goal in France's quarterfinal win over Morocco.
Mbappe won the Golden Boot in 2022 with eight goals, while Messi finished in second with seven.
Follow along as USA TODAY tracks all of the top scorers.
This article will be updated.
Buy 2026 World Cup final tickets
2026 World Cup Golden Boot leaders
The Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals scored at the World Cup. Ties are broken by the player, or players, with the most assists. Further ties are broken by the player, or players, with the fewest minutes played.
Players in bold still in tournament
- Kylian Mbappe, France - 8 goals
- Lionel Messi, Argentina - 8 goals
- Erling Haaland, Norway - 7 goals
- Harry Kane, England - 6 goals
- Jude Bellingham, England - 6 goals
- Ousmane Dembele, France - 5 goals
- Ismaila Sarr, Senegal - 4 goals
- Julián Quiñones, Mexico - 4 goals
- Vinicius Jr., Brazil - 4 goals
- Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain - 4 goals
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Boot race: Messi and Mbappe lead pack at 2026 World Cup
Continue reading...
