MESSI AND DAVID LEAD GOLDEN BOOT RACE AFTER WEEK OF GROUP STAGE

Lionel Messi of Argentina and Jonathan David of Canada head the scoring charts at the 2026 World Cup, each with three goals after the opening week of group stage matches. Messi scored his hat-trick against Algeria, whilst David achieved the same feat in Canada's 6-0 victory over Qatar. Eleven players in total have recorded at least two goals in the tournament so far. The Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's leading goal scorer, uses assists as a tiebreaker should multiple players finish level on goals.

Harry Kane of England and Kylian Mbappé of France each have two goals to date. Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia with six goals, whilst Mbappé claimed the award four years later in Qatar with eight goals as France reached the final. Messi's three goals have brought him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on the all-time World Cup goal tally. Ten other players, including Germany's Kai Havertz, Norway's Erling Haaland and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, also stand on two goals apiece.

The emergence of several prolific scorers early in the tournament reflects the competitive nature of the competition. The race for the Golden Boot typically develops throughout the knockout stages as the tournament progresses. All contenders will advance through remaining group matches before the tournament moves into its latter phases.