Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are positioned as primary candidates to become the all-time leading scorers of the FIFA World Cup [1].
The pursuit of this record is significant because it represents the pinnacle of individual achievement in international football. With the 2026 tournament featuring an expanded format, the path to the record is more accessible than in previous editions.
Miroslav Klose currently holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history with 16 goals [2]. Both Messi and Mbappé have high goal tallies that place them among the favorites to challenge this mark during the upcoming competition [1, 3].
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, introduces structural changes that favor goal scorers. The tournament will feature 48 teams [1], an increase from previous iterations. This expansion results in 40 more matches than previous editions [3].
These additional games provide more opportunities for elite forwards to find the net. Because the tournament is now longer and includes more teams, players who advance deep into the knockout stages have a statistically higher chance of adding to their career totals [3].
Both players are listed as top candidates for the Golden Boot, the award given to the tournament's highest scorer [3]. While the focus remains on team victory, the individual race for the all-time scoring title has become a central narrative heading into the June and July events.
“Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are positioned as primary candidates to become the all-time leading scorers of the FIFA World Cup.”
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams fundamentally alters the historical scoring landscape. By adding 40 matches to the schedule, FIFA has created a scenario where the long-standing record of 16 goals is more vulnerable than ever. If Messi or Mbappé reach the final stages, the increased volume of games may allow them to rewrite the record books in a single tournament cycle.
