The trophy associated with the World Cup that everyone wants to get their hands on is of course the prize that will be lifted by the winning team on July 19. However, the Golden Boot, awarded to the World Cup’s top scorer, comes with its own prestige.Superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo have all won the Golden Boot at past World Cups and some of the game’s great finishers will have their sights set on adding their name to the list this summer.The Golden Boot is about goal-scoring, but it also requires being on a good team in order to get more matches to add to that goal tally. In a 48-team tournament with more lopsided group matches than recent World Cups, an early hat trick could change the Golden Boot race.Here are four group games that decided the winner of the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot.
Germany vs CuraçaoGroup E, June 14 in HoustonPriced at 25/1, Kai Havertz is a relative outsider to win the Golden Boot at this World Cup, but the German forward, who finished the season in strong form, shouldn’t be discounted from the discussion, especially because of who the 2014 winners face in their opening match.Curaçao are the lowest-ranked side at the 2026 World Cup and might find it challenging to keep the scoreline respectable against an opponent as talented and accomplished as Germany. Havertz is expected to lead the line for Julian Nagelsmann who has other options in attack.Havertz finished the club season by scoring in the Champions League final and also contributed a goal contribution in Arsenal’s final two league games. After missing the first half of the campaign through, Havertz could be fresher than other forwards at this World Cup.
