France captain Kylian Mbappe has taken the lead in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup adidas Golden Boot, edging Argentina star Lionel Messi on assists after both players finished the quarter-finals with eight goals.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Mbappe tops the standings with eight goals and three assists, following his strike in France’s quarter-final victory over Morocco. Messi, who also has eight goals, ranks second with two assists.
Under FIFA’s Golden Boot criteria, players tied on goals are separated first by the number of assists. If the tie persists, the award goes to the player who achieved the feat in fewer minutes. Mbappe currently holds the advantage on both counts.
Norway’s Erling Haaland is third in the standings with seven goals after scoring twice in the quarter-finals against Brazil. England duo Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are joint fourth with six goals and one assist each.
France winger Ousmane Dembele sits 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.
