Mbappé draws level with Messi in World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race after Morocco strike
Messi can respond in Argentina's last-eight clash with Switzerland
DUBAI – France captain Kylian Mbappé has pulled level with Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after finding the net in his side's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco.
The goal took Mbappé's tally to eight in the tournament, matching Messi's haul. However, the French forward now sits at the top of the Golden Boot standings thanks to FIFA's tie-break criteria.
With just seven matches left in the tournament, the race for the World Cup's top scorer award has become one of the competition's biggest storylines, with several leading forwards still in contention.
Golden Boot race
Mbappé's latest goal came as France booked their place in the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of Friday's quarter-final between Spain and Belgium. Although he and Messi are level on eight goals, FIFA ranks players first by goals scored, followed by assists and then fewer minutes played if required. Mbappé currently holds the advantage over the Argentina captain under those criteria.
Kylian Mbappé.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/5s5aqeYFkG
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 9, 2026
Messi, meanwhile, has an immediate opportunity to reclaim the outright lead when Argentina face Switzerland in their quarter-final on Saturday. A goal in that match would move him clear at the top of the standings and strengthen his bid for a second successive World Cup Golden Boot.
France's Ousmane Dembélé also boosted his chances by scoring against Morocco, taking his tournament tally to six goals and moving into third place. The French attack has now produced the tournament's two highest scorers as Les Bleus continue their title defence.
Several players remain within striking distance. Norway's Erling Haaland, England's Marcus Rashford, Colombia's Luis Díaz and France winger Bradley Barcola have each scored five goals and could still climb the standings if their teams progress further in the knockout rounds.
Current standings
As of today (Friday), the leading scorers at the FIFA World Cup 2026 are:
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – 8 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals
- Ousmane Dembélé (France) – 6 goals
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 5 goals
- Marcus Rashford (England) – 5 goals
- Luis Díaz (Colombia) – 5 goals
- Bradley Barcola (France) – 5 goals
With the semi-finals approaching, every remaining match could prove decisive in determining who finishes as the tournament's leading scorer, particularly with France already through and Argentina, England, Norway, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and Colombia all still in contention for places in the final four.