Messi or Mbappé? Who are the all-time top goalscorers at the World Cup? Full list

As of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Lionel Messi still leads the all-time scoring chart, but Kylian Mbappé is right behind him and closing fast after another decisive performance in the knockout stage.

Messi vs Mbappé: the all-time World Cup scoring race

Messi currently sits alone at the top of the all-time list with 19 World Cup goals, extending the record he claimed earlier in the tournament.

The Argentine has been in strong scoring form again in 2026, adding to the legacy he built across five previous editions of the competition. His goals in this tournament have reinforced his status as the most prolific scorer in World Cup history.

Mbappé, meanwhile, has surged into second place with 18 goals, following his brace against Sweden in France’s Round of 32 victory. Still only 27, the French forward is the biggest threat to Messi’s record, both in this tournament and beyond.

With both players still active in the competition heading into the Round of 16, the race for No. 1 is very much alive.

Who has scored the most goals in World Cup history?

Here’s how the all-time standings look after the latest Round of 32 matches (July 1, 2026):

• Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 19 goals
• Kylian Mbappé (France) – 18 goals
• Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals
• Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 goals
• Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals
• Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals
• Harry Kane (England) - 13 goals
• Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals

How Messi built his World Cup record

Messi’s 19 goals have come across six World Cups, with the majority arriving in the later stages of his career.

He scored:

• 1 goal in 2006
• 0 in 2010
• 4 in 2014
• 1 in 2018
• 7 in 2022
• 6 (so far) in 2026

His current tournament tally includes a hat-trick in the opener and multiple decisive goals in the group stage, demonstrating his continued importance for Argentina deep into his career.

Mbappé’s rapid rise through the rankings

In contrast, Mbappé has reached 18 goals in just three World Cups, highlighting the extraordinary pace of his rise.

He scored:

• 4 goals in 2018
• 8 in 2022
• 6 (so far) in 2026

His latest two-goal performance against Sweden helped France advance to the Round of 16 and brought him within one goal of Messi’s record.

Other notable World Cup goalscorers

Behind the top two, several legendary names remain part of the conversation:

• Miroslav Klose held the record for more than a decade after surpassing Ronaldo in 2014.
• Ronaldo Nazário dominated the early 2000s with 15 goals across three tournaments.
• Gerd Müller remains one of the most efficient scorers in tournament history.

Further down the list, players like Harry Kane have also climbed the rankings during the 2026 tournament, reflecting how this edition continues to reshape the historical standings.

What’s next in the race?

With both Messi and Mbappé advancing to the Round of 16, the record could change hands again in the coming days.

Every match from this point forward carries extra significance, not just for the teams chasing the trophy, but for two of the greatest players in the history of the sport competing for a place at the very top of the scoring charts.

For now, Messi leads. But Mbappé is only one goal behind, and still has time on his side.

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