Germany’s forward #07 Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring his team’s seventh goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Curacao at the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 14, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
USA striker Folarin Balogun no longer stands alone at the top of the race for the Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Germany forward Kai Havertz matched his tally with a brace in his side’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Curaçao.
Balogun had set the early pace by scoring twice in the first half of the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium. The 25-year-old Monaco striker became the first player to score multiple goals for the USA in a World Cup match since 1930.
However, Havertz drew level with the American after netting twice in Germany’s dominant Group stage win. The former Chelsea and Arsenal forward opened his World Cup account from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before adding his second goal in the 88th minute to complete the rout and move alongside Balogun on two goals.
With many of the tournament’s 48 teams still to play their opening matches, the standings are expected to change significantly in the coming days.
