The Golden Boot race at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, and some of soccer's biggest names are already putting together memorable tournaments.
Lionel Messi sits atop the scoring charts after two group-stage matches, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are right behind him. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still chasing more history as he competes in his sixth World Cup.
Here's where some of the tournament's biggest stars stand so far with goals.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): 5 Goals
Messi has been unstoppable in what may be his final tournament. The Argentine legend leads the 2026 World Cup with 5 goals, including a hat trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. Those performances helped him become the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 18 career goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose.
The 38-year-old is also the first player ever to appear in six World Cups and continues to add to what many already consider the greatest resume in soccer history.
Kylian Mbappé (France): 4 Goals
Mbappé is once again proving why he's one of the sport's biggest stars.
The French captain has scored four times in two matches, highlighted by a brace against Senegal. The performance pushed him past Just Fontaine as France's all-time leading World Cup scorer. Mbappé now owns 16 career World Cup goals, tying Klose for second-most all time among men's players.
Erling Haaland (Norway): 4 Goals
Haaland has wasted little time making his mark in his first World Cup.
The Norwegian striker opened the tournament with two goals against Iraq before adding another brace against Senegal. That gives him four goals in just two matches.
Known for his incredible scoring pace at both club and international level, Haaland entered the World Cup with 57 goals in 51 competitive matches for Norway.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 2 Goals
Ronaldo may be one of the oldest players in the tournament at 41, but he's still making history.
The Portuguese superstar has scored twice against Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup and remains one of the tournament's biggest stars as he competes in his sixth appearance on soccer's grandest stage.
Already the all-time leader in men's international goals, Ronaldo is chasing another deep tournament run as Portugal eyes its first World Cup title.
Harry Kane (England): 2 Goals
England captain Harry Kane has quietly climbed the record books. His two-goal performance against Croatia brought his career World Cup total to 10 goals, tying Gary Lineker for the most by an English player. Kane's finishing and leadership remain critical as England looks to end its own long championship drought.
Deniz Undav (Germany): 3 Goals
Germany's surprise scoring leader has been Deniz Undav. The striker has found the net three times through the opening phase of the tournament and has emerged as one of the early breakout stars. If he keeps up this pace, Undav could find himself firmly in the Golden Boot conversation.
Jonathan David (Canada): 3 Goals
Jonathan David continues to shine for Canada. The Lille striker has scored three goals so far, helping Canada remain competitive in a difficult group while strengthening his reputation as one of North America's top attacking players.
With more group-stage matches still to come, David has a chance to make even more history for Canadian soccer.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt): 1 Goal
Mohamed Salah hasn't exploded offensively just yet, but Egypt's captain is officially on the scoresheet.
The Liverpool star has recorded one goal through Egypt's opening two World Cup matches, giving him his second career World Cup goal and keeping the Pharaohs in the hunt for a spot in the knockout rounds.
At 34 years old, Salah remains one of the tournament's stars and Egypt's most important player.
The Golden Boot Race is just getting started
Messi currently leads the field, but with Mbappé and Haaland only one goal behind, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open.
As legends like Ronaldo and Kane chase milestones of their own, the 2026 World Cup could produce more unforgettable moments before the knockout rounds even begin.
