Mbappe draws level with Messi on six goals as Haaland closes in on World Cup Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappe drew level with Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings after scoring twice in France’s 3-0 victory over Sweden, which also secured Les Bleus a place in the last 16. Both forwards now sit on six goals, with Mbappe ranked first by virtue of his two assists to Messi’s none.

Messi had looked set to pull clear after a remarkable group stage in which he backed up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria — recovering from a penalty miss to underline one of his most enduring qualities — before adding another off the bench against Jordan. Mbappe, however, has matched him stride for stride and now holds the tiebreaker advantage heading into the knockout rounds.

Erling Haaland is breathing down both their necks. The Norway striker scored in the 86th minute against Ivory Coast to send his side into the last 16 and register his 13th goal in as many international appearances. He now has five goals for the tournament, one behind the joint leaders.

Ousmane Dembele has also forced his way into contention with a hat-trick against Norway, taking him to four goals and two assists — enough to sit fourth ahead of Vinicius Jr, who struck twice against Scotland to move onto four goals of his own.

Harry Kane is among a large group of players on three goals after heading home against Panama in England’s final group game, as is Kai Havertz, Cody Gakpo, Jonathan David and Matheus Cunha, among others.

Under the tournament’s tiebreaker rules, players level on goals are separated first by assists, then by minutes played and goals-per-minute ratio.

2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings

1. Kylian Mbappe (France) — 6 goals, 2 assists
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 6 goals
3. Erling Haaland (Norway) — 5 goals
4. Ousmane Dembele (France) — 4 goals, 2 assists
5. Vinicius Jr (Brazil) — 4 goals, 1 assist
6. Deniz Undav (Germany) — 3 goals, 2 assists
7. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland) — 3 goals, 1 assist
8. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) — 3 goals, 1 assist
9. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) — 3 goals, 1 assist
10. Julian Quinones (Mexico) — 3 goals, 1 assist
11. Jonathan David (Canada) — 3 goals
12. Ismael Saibari (Morocco) — 3 goals
13. Matheus Cunha (Brazil) — 3 goals
14. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) — 3 goals
15. Elijah Just (New Zealand) — 3 goals
16. Harry Kane (England) — 3 goals
17. Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) — 3 goals
18. Kai Havertz (Germany) — 3 goals