Kylian Mbappe has moved ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. AFP
Kylian Mbappe has moved ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. AFP

Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot race


France superstar Kylian Mbappe clinched the Golden Boot after finishing his 2026 World Cup campaign with a brilliant showing against England.

Mbappe became the all-time leading ⁠goal scorer in World ​Cup history with 22 as he scored twice during the third-place match against England in Miami.

Despite Mbappe's efforts, France lost 6-4 having staged a stunning comeback from 4-0 down at half-time.

Mbappe moved ahead of Argentina great Lionel Messi with 10 goals and four assists in the 2026 finals. Messi had a chance to climb to the top spot during Sunday's title match against Spain, but it was not to be.

"I'm just trying to help my team score every time," Mbappe said after the match.

"It's for sure that when you score that many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels. But I would have liked to not be the top scorer in history, but play tomorrow's [final] match.

"I think it's good for legacy and ​when we stop [playing] to say ‌that 'I was one ⁠of those players'. But ​today, it's not the first thing ​crossing ‌my mind."

Mbappe also became the first player with 10 goals in a World Cup since West Germany's Gerd Muller in 1970.

England players, meanwhile, gave a good account of themselves to finish third.

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to cap a stunning result against France, while 2026 star Jude Bellingham scored in added time to take his tournament tally to seven.

Golden Boot 2026

1). Kylian Mbappe (France) - Goals: 10, assists: 4

2). Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Goals: 8, assists: 4

3). Jude Bellingham (England) - Goals: 7, assists: 1

4). Erling Haaland (Norway) – Goals: 7, assists: 0

5). Ousmane Dembele (France) – Goals: 6, assists: 2

6). Harry Kane (England) - Goals: 6, assists: 1

7). Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) - Goals: 5, assists: 1

8). Vinicius Junior (Brazil) – Goals: 4, assists: 1

9). Ismailia Sarr (Senegal) - Goals: 4, assists: 1

10). Julian Quinones (Mexico) - Goals: 4, assists: 1

Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures

  • US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters
    US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters
  • Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters
    Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters
    Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters
  • England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP
    England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP
  • French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP
    French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP
  • England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
    England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
  • Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP
    Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP
  • Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA
    Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA
  • Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters
    Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters
  • Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP
    Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP
  • France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP
    France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP
  • Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP
    Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP
  • Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP
    Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP
  • Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP
    Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP
  • France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA
    France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA
  • Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters
    Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters
  • Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images
    Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP
    Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP
  • Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP
    Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP
  • Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters
    Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters
  • Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters
    Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters
  • Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters
    Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters
  • Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP
    Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP
  • Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP
    Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP

Previous Golden Boot winners

2022 - Kylian Mbappe (France) - Goals: 8

2018 - Harry Kane (England) - Goals: 6

2014 - James Rodriguez (Colombia) - Goals: 6

2010 - Thomas Muller (Germany) - Goals: 5

2006 - Miroslav Klose (Germany) - Goals: 5

2002 - Ronaldo (Brazil) - Goals: 8

1998 - Davor Suker (Croatia) - Goals: 6

1994 - Oleg Salenko (Russia), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) - Goals: 6

1990 - Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) - Goals: 6

1986 - Gary Lineker (England) - Goals: 6

1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy) - Goals: 6

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Updated: July 20, 2026, 2:48 AM