The Golden Boot is awarded to the World Cup's top goalscorer, with assists used as a tie-breaker if two or more players finish level. The 2026 tournament features three former Golden Boot winners: Kylian Mbappé of France (eight goals in 2022), England's Harry Kane (six goals in 2018), and James Rodríguez of Colombia (six goals in 2014).
Pre-Tournament Favourites
Mbappé and Kane are among the pre-tournament favourites to finish top scorer in North America, alongside Norway's Erling Haaland – making his World Cup debut – and Argentina's Lionel Messi. Other contenders include Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. However, history suggests not to discount a surprise package. Totò Schillaci, initially a back-up striker for Italy, won the Golden Boot in 1990, while Russia's Oleg Salenko finished joint-top scorer in 1994, aided by five goals in one game against Cameroon.
Format Changes
Golden Boot contenders have an extra match to score in 2026, with a 48-team tournament introducing a round of 32 for the first time. Any team reaching the semi-finals will play eight games, although the highest Golden Boot total ever – Just Fontaine's 13 goals in six games for France in 1958 – remains an imposing target.
Tie-Breaking Rules
Joint winners are no longer possible. If two or more players have the same number of goals and assists, the total minutes played in the final competition will be considered, with the player playing fewer minutes ranked first.
