The race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already gathering momentum after an action-packed opening round with Messi leading the charge.
With the first set of group-stage matches now completed, goals have flowed freely across the tournament and many of the game’s most prolific forwards have wasted little time announcing themselves on the world stage.
Leading the way is Lionel Messi, whose stunning hat-trick against Algeria propelled him to the top of the scoring charts and added another remarkable chapter to his World Cup career.
The Argentina captain’s three-goal display not only secured his place as the tournament’s leading scorer after the opening round but also saw him draw level with Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, the highest tally in the competition’s history.
The achievement further strengthened Messi’s standing among the greatest players ever to compete at the tournament. His performance against Algeria also saw him move beyond a number of iconic names on the World Cup scoring charts, including Ronaldo, Gerd Müller, Pelé and Kylian Mbappé.
The Argentine star also added several age-related milestones to his collection of records. In scoring against Algeria, he became the oldest Argentine player to find the net at a World Cup. He also became the oldest player to score a brace in the competition and added further records during a memorable evening.
While Messi occupies top spot on the goalscoring leaderboard, several other leading forwards have made equally emphatic starts to their campaigns.
France striker Kylian Mbappé opened his tournament with two goals, continuing a remarkable World Cup scoring record that has already placed him among the most productive forwards in the competition’s history.
Norway’s Erling Haaland also began with a brace, underlining why he is considered one of the most feared goalscorers in international football. England captain Harry Kane matched that feat, scoring twice in his country’s opening match to immediately enter the race for the tournament’s top scorer award.
The performances of those three players have reinforced expectations that the battle for the Golden Boot could become one of the most compelling storylines of the tournament.
Among those backing Mbappé to challenge for even greater records is fellow Frenchman Olivier Giroud.
“He now has 14 goals, just two behind Klose 🇩🇪 and Messi 🇦🇷, and he still has the chance to play another World Cup, unlike Messi, who I don’t think will play the next tournament. So he has a great opportunity to…” Giroud said.
Beyond the established stars, several other players enjoyed productive starts to the competition.
Sweden’s Yasin Ayari, United States forward Folarin Balogun, Germany’s Kai Havertz and New Zealand attacker Elijah Just all scored twice in their opening matches to join Haaland, Kane and Mbappé on two goals.
Following the first round of fixtures, Messi leads the standings with three goals, while Ayari, Balogun, Haaland, Havertz, Just, Kane and Mbappé are all level on two.
With the tournament only just underway and the leading contenders already finding their rhythm, the race to finish as the World Cup’s top scorer promises to be fiercely contested in the weeks ahead. For now, however, Messi has laid down the strongest early marker and sits alone at the summit of the scoring charts.
