Who will win the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot?

No player has ever won the World Cup Golden Boot more than once, but two men have a good chance to become the first to do so this summer in North America.

Kylian Mbappe scored four goals as France qualified for the World Cup, and as one of the strongest nations in the tournament, it is likely that the 2018 winners will once again feature in the latter stages of the tournament.

Another striker seeking a historic second Golden Boot is Harry Kane. Kane, 32, is significantly older than the average winner, but with 54 goals for Bayern Munich this season, he has every chance of carrying that form into the World Cup.

Despite Lionel Messi claiming eight Balon d’Or trophies, a World Cup, two Copa Americas, and countless domestic trophies, the Argentina magician still hasn’t been awarded a World Cup Golden Boot. At 38 years of age, this is without a doubt his last realistic chance.

At nearly half his age, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal will be looking to leave his mark on his first World Cup after impressing in Spain’s route to winning the 2024 European Championship. Spain have not progressed beyond the round of 16 since their 2010 tournament successes, but Luis de la Fuente’s men go into this summer as one of the strong favourites alongside Argentina, France and England.

Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland has scored 26 league goals for Manchester City this season, but his bid for the boot might depend on how long Norway stays in the tournament. Haaland scored 16 goals in eight qualifying games.

The only player to have scored more than 100 goals for four different clubs and on the back of a successful season in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo will have his sights on the Golden Boot at the age of 41.

Portugal, however, has a poor record in World Cup knockout rounds and has won just one tie since 2006. Their squad looks particularly strong this time around, with assist king Bruno Fernandes set to line up behind Ronaldo and Rafael Leao.

Amid a chaotic Real Madrid season, 25-year-old Vinicius Junior scored 21 goals and assisted 14 times across all competitions. But after finishing fifth in Conmebol qualifying and with a squad that is still relying on older players, Brazil might struggle to give Vinicius the platform for a Golden Boot challenge.

Ousmane Dembele did not enjoy the same outstanding season as 2024-25, but still managed to score 19 times in all competitions for Paris St-Germain. France has a breath-taking array of attacking options, but Dembele is likely to be a regular and could easily compete with compatriot Mbappe for the boot.

Argentina could have two more challengers in addition to Messi, with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez both strong candidates. Martinez scored the winner in the final and earned the Golden Boot with a five-goal haul at Copa America 2024, while Alvarez is one of Europe’s most coveted strikers after a fine season with Atletico Madrid.