Lionel Messi has just done something no footballer has ever done before: score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The Argentine came off the bench to net his sixth goal of the 2026 tournament as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Dallas, extending a streak that began in the 2022 group stage. That record alone makes him the frontrunner for the Golden Boot – the award given to the World Cup's top scorer – but the race is far from over.
The Golden Boot is one of football's most prestigious individual honours. It has been awarded at every World Cup since 1930, with past winners including Gerd Müller, Ronaldo Nazário, and Harry Kane – who won it in 2018 with six goals. In 2026, the award will go to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament. If two or more players finish level, the tie is broken first by assists, then by fewest minutes played.
“Explains the race for top scorer at the 2026 World Cup, including Messi's record and England's Harry Kane.”
Messi's six goals put him in pole position, but several contenders are close behind. Ousmane Dembele of France has emerged as a new challenger after a strong group stage, while England's Harry Kane – who already broke a national record by scoring against Panama – is also in the mix. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet scored in the tournament, but his side are still alive. The Golden Boot race typically heats up in the knockout rounds, where the best players face the toughest defences.
For UK readers, the race has extra significance because Harry Kane is England's main man. The Three Lions captain scored his second goal of the tournament in a 2-0 win over Panama, a result that secured top spot in Group L. Kane already holds the record for most England goals and is chasing Wayne Rooney's all-time record in major tournaments. If he can lead the scoring charts again, he would become only the second player to win the Golden Boot twice, after Thomas Müller.
Here are some key questions about the Golden Boot race:
Q: Who is currently leading the Golden Boot standings at the 2026 World Cup? Lionel Messi leads with six goals after scoring in Argentina's 3-1 win over Jordan. Ousmane Dembele and Harry Kane are among those close behind, but exact standings are not yet finalised as the knockout phase begins.
Q: How is the Golden Boot winner decided if two players score the same number of goals? Ties are broken first by the number of assists the player has made in the tournament. If that is also tied, the player who has played fewer minutes wins the award.
Q: What records have been broken so far in the 2026 World Cup? Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Harry Kane also broke a national record for England (likely for most World Cup goals or consecutive scoring). Additionally, Steve Clarke resigned as Scotland manager after their group-stage exit.
What happens next? The knockout rounds begin with the round of 32, and England face DR Congo on Wednesday at 5pm UK time in Atlanta. Messi and Argentina will play their last-32 match later this week. Every goal from this point on could be decisive in the Golden Boot race, especially as the tournament progresses to the quarter-finals and semi-finals where defenses tighten. The final takes place on 19 July 2026.