Mbappé overtakes Messi in Golden Boot race at 2026 World Cup

Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are tied on eight goals each in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race thanks to more assists – three compared with Messi’s two. The tournament rules use assists as the first tiebreaker and, if still equal, the player with fewer minutes played ranks higher; Mbappé has logged 563 minutes versus Messi’s 608. Other contenders include Norway’s Erling Haaland (seven goals), England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham (six each), and France’s Ousmane Dembélé (five). The race remains open as the semifinals approach, with the award potentially decided by any further goal, assist or minute differential.

The competition has drawn extensive media coverage and betting interest worldwide, reflecting the rarity of two players from different continents sharing the top spot in World Cup scoring history.