Kylian Mbappe has moved ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the adidas Golden Boot at the FIFA 2026 World Cup after edging the Argentina captain on assists following the quarter-finals.
Although both players have scored eight goals, the France captain tops the standings with three assists, one more than Messi, after finding the net in France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco.
FIFA’s tiebreak rules give Mbappe the advantage, placing him first with eight goals and three assists, while Messi sits second with eight goals and two assists.
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Mbappe edges ahead of Messi
Mbappe reclaimed top spot after another influential display against Morocco, continuing his outstanding tournament.
Should the pair remain level on both goals and assists by the end of the competition, FIFA will use total minutes played as the next tiebreaker. Mbappe currently also holds the advantage in that category, having played fewer minutes than Messi.
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Haaland, Kane and Bellingham remain in contention
Norway striker Erling Haaland remains firmly in the hunt after taking his tally to seven goals, while England duo Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are tied on six goals and one assist each following England’s quarter-final victory over Norway.
Bellingham boosted his Golden Boot hopes with a match-winning brace, while Kane continues to feature among the tournament’s leading scorers.
France winger Ousmane Dembele is sixth with five goals and two assists, while Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr, Mexico’s Julian Quinones, Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal complete the top 10 with four goals apiece.
How FIFA decides the Golden Boot winner
According to FIFA regulations, the adidas Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals during the tournament.
If two or more players finish level on goals, the number of assists, as determined by FIFA’s Technical Study Group, becomes the deciding factor.
If players remain tied after goals and assists, the award goes to the player who has played fewer minutes throughout the competition.
Top 10 adidas Golden Boot standings after the quarter-finals:
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 8 goals, 3 assists
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals, 2 assists
Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals
Jude Bellingham (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist
Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist
Ousmane Dembele (France) – 5 goals, 2 assists
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – 4 goals, 1 assist
Julian Quinones (Mexico) – 4 goals, 1 assist
Vinicius Junior (Brazil) – 4 goals, 1 assist
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 4 goals, 1 assist
With only four teams remaining, the race for the Golden Boot is shaping up to be a thrilling duel between Mbappe and Messi, while Haaland, Kane and Bellingham remain within striking distance ahead of the semi-finals.
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