The race for the top scorers award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up after the completion of the second round of group-stage matches, with Argentina captain Lionel Messi emerging as the man to beat.
The Argentine legend has enjoyed a remarkable start to the tournament, scoring five goals in two matches to move clear at the top of the standings. Messi followed up his opening-match hat-trick against Algeria with another two-goal display in Argentina’s second outing, becoming the tournament’s leading scorer and further cementing his status as one of the stars of the competition.
Close behind him are Norway striker Erling Haaland and France captain Kylian Mbappé, who are tied on four goals each after two matches.
Haaland has announced himself on his World Cup debut in style, scoring braces in both of Norway’s opening matches to keep his nation firmly on course for the knockout rounds.
Mbappé, meanwhile, has continued the form that saw him win the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup. The French superstar has also scored four times in two games and remains one of the favourites to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer.
