Lionel Messi leads the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race with 5 goals after two matches, all for Argentina so far [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Kylian Mbappe of France and Norway's Erling Haaland are joint second with 4 goals each [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Messi's 18 World Cup goals across six tournaments make him the all-time top scorer in World Cup history [1, 2, 3, 4].

Mbappe scored twice in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq on June 22, a match delayed for about one hour at halftime due to heavy rain and lightning alerts [6, 7, 8]. That match marked Mbappe’s 100th appearance for France and put his World Cup career goals at 16, tying Germany's Miroslav Klose for second place all-time behind Messi [9, 6, 7, 8, 10]. Mbappe has surpassed legends Pele and Ronaldo in World Cup goal rankings [9, 6, 7, 8, 10]. Iraq coach Graham Arnold joked, "I asked if we could play three goalkeepers at the same time, but they said no," in response to Mbappe’s scoring threat [9, 10].

Haaland scored a match-winning brace against Senegal on June 22, marking 4 goals in his first World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4]. The trio of Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland are the first players since 1954 to each have 4 or more goals after two group stage matches [1, 2, 3, 4, 11]. Harry Kane trails with 2 goals and aims to join the top scorers [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

The 2026 tournament features an expanded 48-team format, allowing teams to play up to 8 matches and increasing chances for high goal totals [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. After 45 group matches, teams have scored a record 139 goals [5]. Messi turned 39 years old today during the World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4].

Mbappe praised Messi’s scoring ability, saying, "Messi always scores; he has always done so and always will. If I focus on what he does, I only put more pressure on myself. I just want to help the team as best I can" [11]. He also described the challenge of maintaining focus during the rain-delayed match, "It is very difficult to stay focused. We spent nearly two hours in the dressing room and had to work hard to stay committed. It’s not easy, but in the end, we achieved our goal" [11].

England and Harry Kane are set to play Ghana today, with Kane looking to improve on his two-goal total so far in the Golden Boot race [1, 2, 3, 4].