It’s already been a remarkable World Cup for the goalscorers. In keeping with the theme of Americans always doing it bigger and better, the biggest and best footballers in the world have been the ones to show up so far at this World Cup, whether that’s London’s own Harry Kane, or Lionel Messi.
It makes the Golden Boot race one of the most exciting parts of the tournament, especially for betting. Which major star will be coming out on top in the fight for one of the highest individual honours a player can win?
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot?
Harry Kane
It’s maybe surprising that, considering Harry Kane currently has 3 goals so far this World Cup (at time of writing), he’s not one of the main contenders. Most bookmakers price him at around 16/1, despite the fact he has proven to be a great goalscorer so far this tournament.
But Kane cannot be counted out. He’s already got one World Cup Golden Boot under his belt from 2018, and with England (hopefully) looking to go far in this tournament, he’ll have more opportunities to add to his tally. A proven goalscorer in the form of his life is hardly a risk to bet on, especially when he remains his countries’ greatest hope for goals.
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Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland scores goals like the rest of us breathe. The obvious lynchpin of a surprising efficient and talented Norway team, now further into a World Cup than they have ever been before and set to face a weaker-than-usual Brazil team, it’s highly possible that Erling Haaland has not finished adding to his goal tally this year.
Haaland currently has 5 goals in the tournament, even more impressive considering he was fully rested for one of the group games. He remains one of the most threatening presences at the World Cup, but he’ll have to keep scoring to win the Golden Boot, as there are two stars who are still ahead of him…
Kylian Mbappe
Something seems to infect Kylian Mbappe when the World Cup rolls around. Sure, he’s been one of the world’s best this season for Real Madrid, but he becomes a totally different animal when the world is watching.
In 4 games, he’s already scored 6 goals, and 2 assists to go with them, averaging a goal every 59 minutes. Mbappe is the focal point of an already insane France attack, and it would be shocking if we’ve seen the last of him bulging the net at this tournament. He’s no doubt haunted by the fact he took home the Golden Boot at the last World Cup but not the trophy, and one player specifically might haunt more than any other.
Lionel Messi
How is it still Messi? After all this time, after 6 World Cups? Lionel Messi remains one of the greatest footballers in the world. In just three games (at time of writing), he’s managed to score an insane 6 goals, including one game he didn’t even start, adding up to a goal every 33 minutes.
Add to that the manner of the goals proven what everyone already knew, which is that Argentina team still revolves around Messi. If Argentina get any further in the tournament, it will surely be because of Messi’s goals. You can’t count out the little boy from Rosario, Argentina.
