Sport

Mbappé Leads Messi in 2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race

France captain Kylian Mbappé has moved ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot despite both players scoring eight goals after the quarter-finals.

 

FIFA confirmed that Mbappé currently occupies the top spot after his goal in France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco took his tally to eight goals and three assists.

 

Messi, who also has eight goals, ranks second with two assists, placing him behind the French forward on the tournament’s tiebreaker criteria.

 

Norway striker Erling Haaland remains third with seven goals after scoring twice in his side’s quarter-final win over Brazil, while England duo Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are joint-fourth and fifth respectively with six goals and one assist each.

 

France winger Ousmane Dembélé is sixth with five goals and two assists, while Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr, Mexico’s Julián Quiñones, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal have four goals each.

 

According to FIFA, the Golden Boot will be awarded to the player with the highest number of goals at the end of the tournament. Where players are tied, assists will determine the winner, followed by total minutes played.

 

“If two or more players score the same number of goals, the number of assists, as determined by the members of the FIFA Technical Study Group, shall be decisive.

 

“If two or more players are still equal after taking into account the number of assists, the total minutes played in the tournament will be taken into account, with the player playing fewer minutes ranked first,” FIFA stated.

 

Mbappé has so far played fewer minutes than Messi, giving him an additional advantage if both players remain level on goals and assists.

 

Top 10 adidas Golden Boot standings after the quarter-finals:

 

1. Kylian Mbappé (France) – 8 goals, 3 assists

 

 

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals, 2 assists

 

 

3. Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals, 0 assists

 

 

4. Jude Bellingham (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist

 

 

5. Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist

 

 

6. Ousmane Dembélé (France) – 5 goals, 2 assists

 

 

7. Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) – 4 goals, 1 assist

 

 

8. Julián Quiñones (Mexico) – 4 goals, 1 assist

 

 

9. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) – 4 goals, 1 assist

 

 

10. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 4 goals, 1 assist

Olayinka Babatunde

Recent Posts

Police Promise Action Against Suspected Criminals Allegedly Hiding in Osun Govt House

The Osun State Police Command says it will take action against suspected criminals allegedly hiding…

10 hours ago

EU to Observe Osun Governorship Election, Adeleke Pledges Credible Poll

The European Union Election Observation Mission will monitor the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as…

10 hours ago

CAN Celebrates Oyo Pupils’ Rescue, Urges Release of Remaining Captives

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has welcomed the rescue of pupils, teachers and other…

10 hours ago

Adeleke Faces Fresh Revolt as Osun Accord Leaders Demand Loyalty to Hashim, Threaten Backing for APC Candidate

A fresh crisis has erupted within the Accord Party in Osun State as some party…

1 day ago

2027: APC Unveils Shettima as Tinubu’s Running Mate

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has formally presented Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola…

1 day ago

WAFCON 2026: Plumptre Disappointed Over Super Falcons Omission

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has expressed disappointment after she was left out of Nigeria’s…

1 day ago