The race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot has been decided as Spain secured a 1-0 win over Argentina in Sunday’s grand final in New Jersey
Kylian Mbappe has won the race to the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot, finishing the competition on 10 goals after a stellar tournament in North America. That’s despite Lionel Messi having a major advantage in the opportunity to bolster his own tally of eight during Sunday’s final against Spain.
The 39-year-old was unable to do so, however, with his nation suffering heartbreak at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the form of a 1-0 loss in extra-time. Ferran Torres broke the deadlock for the European champions 106 minutes into play, not only to give his nation the lead, but ultimately win the match.
It was a remarkable tournament for Mbappe, who proved himself once more on the World Stage in North America. The 27-year-old kickstarted his tournament with a boom last month, bagging a brace in a 3-1 opening day win with France against Senegal.
He then secured a further two goals in his nation’s next Group I match, as France secured a 3-0 win over Iraq in routine fashion. While he was unable to find the scoresheet during a 4-1 win over Norway in his nation’s final group stage match, Mbappe was once again in flying form against Sweden in the round of 32, taking his total tally to six with another two goals in a 3-0 win.
Another goal from the penalty spot came during France’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16, while another from open play came during their 2-0 quarter-final win against Morocco. Another brace during France’s third-place play-off 6-4 loss to England, meanwhile, tipped the Golden Boot in Mbappe’s favour.
The full Golden Boot standings from the 2026 World Cup…
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 10
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8
Jude Bellingham (England) – 7
Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7
Ousmane Dembele (France) – 6
Harry Kane (England) – 6
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 5
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – 4
Julian Quinones (Mexico) – 4
Vinicius Jr (Brazil) – 4
Deniz Undav (Germany) – 3
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland) – 3
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 3
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) – 3
Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium) – 3
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 3
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) – 3
Elijah Just (New Zealand) – 3
Matheus Cunha (Brazil) – 3
Folarin Balogun (USA) – 3
Raul Jimenez (Mexico) – 3
Kai Havertz (Germany) – 3
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) – 3
Ismael Saibari (Morocco) – 3
Jonathan David (Canada) – 3
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3
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Despite ultimately finishing fourth in the tournament, it was an incredible individual tournament for Mbappe, who also managed to set a new all-time leading scorer record at the World Cup. Thanks to his 10 goals this time out, Mbappe now has a total of 22 World Cup goals. For context, before a ball was kicked, Germany’s Miroslav Klose held that record with a total of 16.
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