We're into the last few games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the race for the Golden Boot -- given to the tournament's top goal scorer -- is red-hot.
The main contenders are also the most obvious names: Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé, and England's Harry Kane.
They have enjoyed prolific starts with numerous goals in their group-stage games and the first three knockout rounds, but who will be the best scorer in North America this summer?
Here are the main contenders for the title. Is there still time for others to play their way into contention?
(Note: FIFA's rules state that if two players are tied on most goals, then their assist total will be used as a decider. If the assist totals are also the same, then the player who has played fewer minutes at the tournament will be ranked first)
Kylian Mbappé, France
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Games: 6
Why he will win it: Alongside Kane, Mbappé is one of two players at this World Cup who have previously won the Golden Boot, and he is playing like a man inspired to defend his 2022 crown. He has scored in all but one of France's five games at this World Cup (he netted two on three of those occasions) and is rivalling Messi even for the all-time top scorer title.
With a star-studded forward line that also includes Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Michael Olise, France have scored the most goals and attempted the most shots. Mbappé is the main figure at the head of that attack, so it only stands to reason that given enough time he will end as this tournament's top scorer.
Why he won't: Typically, the Golden Boot winner comes from a team that reaches the semifinals, if not the final. France are the tournament favorites, meaning that should be somewhat expected. Perhaps the only thing that can stop Mbappé is a stunning knockout defeat that prematurely ends France's run. That said, they're already through to the semifinals and have looked mostly unstoppable so far. Barring Messi continuing to score at an electric rate, there really isn't any other reason to doubt Mbappé.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Goals: 8
Assists: 2
Games: 6
Why he will win it: This one is easy. Argentina's opening game showed all you need to see. World Cup hat tricks are not an everyday occurrence, and Messi had one against Algeria, his first in World Cup history. He added two more goals against Austria -- in doing so, he set a new all-time tournament goal record (18) -- before coming off the bench to score a free kick against Jordan in their final group-stage game. He then scored one apiece in each of the thrilling 3-2 knockout wins over Cape Verde and Egypt to take his all-time tally to 21.
A deep run to the final, which defending champions Argentina are more than capable of, would give Messi a perfect chance to secure his first Golden Boot in this competition.
Why he won't: In truth, there are very few reasons to doubt Messi will end this tournament as the top scorer, but one stands out: Is Messi the best scorer in world football? Messi is still one of the best players on the planet, but at 39, he is no longer the best goal scorer on the planet. Kane and Mbappé both had better goals-per-minute ratios than him last season, and over the course of a long tournament, both would be potential candidates to outscore him.
Remember, Messi has never won the Golden Boot -- Mbappé's final hat trick left him one ahead in 2022. Can Messi really go on to win it during what we presume is his last dance?
Harry Kane, England
Goals: 6
Assists: 1
Games: 6
Why he will win it: Check any scoring chart in Europe this year and there's a good chance Kane is No. 1 on it. The Bayern Munich striker's scoring form has been so good that he is firmly in the Ballon d'Or conversation. His six goals in six games is all the proof you need that England's attack runs through Kane.
Why he won't: If Kane was wearing a France shirt at this tournament, you'd be hard-pressed to suggest anyone else would be the top scorer. Even Mbappé would find it difficult to keep up with him. But Kane plays for England, who somehow find a way to stifle their own attack at every major tournament. They have relied heavily on Kane -- shown by his superb brace against Congo DR in the round of 32 -- but with Jude Bellingham stepping up and England finally showing their more free-flowing side in the 3-2 win over Mexico, that looks like it might change.
Jude Bellingham, England
Goals: 6
Assists: 1
Games: 6
Why he will win it: A long shot to win the Golden Boot ahead of the tournament, Bellingham's rich vein of form has propelled him into calculations. With braces against Mexico and Norway, the Real Madrid star became the first player to register consecutive multi-goal knockout-stage games at a World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986. That's quite the achievement.
Why he won't: One of the biggest obstacles to Bellingham winning the Golden Boot may well be his own teammate, Kane. Six goals is England's all-time World Cup record, so the fact that two players have already matched that mark is remarkable. With the Three Lions potentially having two more games to play, the record could easily be broken and if England go on to lift the trophy, it's fair to say Bellingham won't mind if it's Kane's goals, rather than his own, that help fire England to the title.
