With the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage underway, the race to finish as the tournament's top scorer is getting more exciting. Here's a look at the top five goalscorers so far.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi stays ahead of Mbappe, Haaland before quarter-finals

Messi revealed Argentina feared an early exit after going 2-0 down, but a comeback led by Cristian Romero's goal helped them beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals.

FIFA 2026 | 'It's difficult to come back from 2-0 down': Messi reacts after Argentina's thrilling win over Egypt in WC R16

Messi had missed a penalty in the first half but scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute as Argentina came from 0-2 behind to win 3-2 against Argentina to win the R16 match.

FIFA 2026 | Messi sheds tears of relief after thrilling win vs Egypt - WATCH

Argentina defeated Egypt to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, ending the Pharaohs' impressive tournament run. Lionel Messi played a key role as Argentina delivered a composed performance to keep their title hopes alive. Egypt bowed out after a spirited campaign on football's biggest stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina ends Egypt's World Cup dreams 

Track the epic 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé lead the standings, with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland closing the gap fast.

World Cup Golden Boot: Messi & Mbappe lead as Kane, Haaland close gap; who stays at top?

Following a deadly earthquake in Venezuela, Lionel Messi sends a heartfelt message of support amidst his record-breaking World Cup run in the USA.

Venezuela Earthquake: Lionel Messi shares heartfelt message after toll nears 3,000

Messi recorded his ninth World Cup assist in Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time win over Cabo Verde, moving past Maradona’s record of eight.

FIFA 2026: Messi breaks Maradona's all-time World Cup assist record as Argentina beat Cabo Verde

After Argentina secured a hard-fought win over Cabo Verde to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, Lionel Messi said that the team knew it would be a difficult match but they knew how to suffer and pull it off.

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'We knew how to suffer and pull it off,' says Messi after Argentina reach Round of 16

Messi hits 20 WC goals & 8 straight-match scoring streak as Argentina edge Cape Verde 3-2 (own goal) in extra time to reach pre-quarters.

FIFA 2026 | 'One goal, five records': Messi continues to rewrite history books - WATCH

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, securing their spot in the Round of 16. Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, while Lisandro Martínez and an own-goal sealed the win after Cape Verde twice rallied to equalize.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare, Reach Last 16

FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi Leads Argentina to 3-2 Win, Reach Last 16

With the brace against Sweden, Mbappe also broke the record of most goals in knockout games acorss the world cups. The twin goals in FIFA 2026 Round of 32, which came in 45th and 74th minute, took Mbappe to nine goals in nine WC knockout games.

FIFA 2026 | Who is leading Golden Boot race? Mbappe is at par with Messi after brace vs Sweden

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's team spirit after the defending champions completed a perfect FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage campaign with three wins from three matches.

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'We're still together,' says Messi after Argentina's win over Jordan

FIFA 2026 | The decision comes as Argentina already through in Round of 32 with Messi scoring all five goals in two wins for the defending champions.

FIFA 2026 | Argentina to rest Messi for dead-rubber Jordan group-stage fixture

FIFA 2026 |  Golden Boot is awarded for the highest goal scorer of the tournament and the list is currently lead by Lionel Messi (5 goals). Messi is followed by Vini Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland who all have four goals each.

FIFA 2026 | Who will win the Golden Boot? Meet early contenders and leaders

A potential Argentina vs. Portugal quarterfinal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is sending Kansas City ticket prices soaring as fans dream of a Messi vs. Ronaldo showdown

Ronaldo vs Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026? Ticket prices explode ahead of potential Portugal-Argentina quarterfinal

Lionel Messi tops the World Cup Golden Boot race with five goals in two games. Can Argentina's captain finally win the only major individual prize missing from his legendary career ahead of rivals Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane?

Lionel Messi has a FIFA World Cup, Eight Ballon d'Or and countless titles — but not this

Messi, with a brace against Austria, became the highest goal-scorer in the history of FIFA World Cup - taking over German legend Miroslav Klose's 16-goal record set in 2014.

FIFA 2026 | 'Can’t recall:' Argentina's Lionel Messi on his favorite of 18 record World Cup goals

FIFA 2026 | Argentina beat Austria 2-0, France beat Iraq 3-0,  and Norway beat Senegal 3-2 with Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland scoring a brace for their teams, respectively.

FIFA 2026 Day 12 Round up |'Brace for impact': Messi, Mbappe, Haaland put their teams into Round of 32

Algeria have filed an official complaint with FIFA, citing poor refereeing in their 3-0 defeat to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FIFA 2026 | 'Lionel Messi deserved a red card': Algeria lodge FIFA complaint over controversial tackle

FIFA 2026 | The Messi family issued a statement to confirm that footballer's father is having medical issues, the reason behind's Messi's emotions after hattrick vs Algeria on Tuesday (Jun 16).

FIFA 2026 | Messi's father Jorge 'under medical supervision' but recovering, confirms family

Lionel Messi netted a stunning hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup opener. The Argentine legend equalled Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals, while a controversial tackle sparked debate among fans over a possible red card

Social media erupts after Messi escapes red card for reckless challenge in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria

FIFA 2026 | Messi scored his maiden World Cup hattrick and equaled Miroslav Klose (16) for most goals in FIFA World Cup history while Mbappe, with a brace vs Senegal, became highest goal scorer for France over Olivier Giroud.

FIFA 2026 | Messi and Mbappe create history in respective World Cup opening wins for Argentina and France

FIFA 2026 Day 6 Results: Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, thanks to Lionel Messi's hattrick. France beat Senegal 3-1 with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace and Norway with Iraq 4-1 with Erling Haaland scoring two goals.

FIFA 2026 Day 6 Round-up: Messi hattrick, Mbappe and Haaland score brace as Argentina, France and Norway win

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi stays ahead of Mbappe, Haaland before quarter-finals

FIFA 26 | 'It's difficult to...': Messi reacts after Argentina's win over Egypt

FIFA 2026 | WATCH - Messi sheds tears of relief after thrilling win vs Egypt

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina ends Egypt's World Cup dreams

World Cup Golden Boot: Messi leads as Kane, Haaland close gap; who stays at top?

Venezuela Earthquake: Messi shares heartfelt message after toll nears 3,000

FIFA 2026: Messi breaks Maradona's all-time World Cup assist record

FIFA 2026: 'We knew how to suffer and...,' says Messi after Argentina reach R16

FIFA 2026 | 'One goal, five records': Messi rewrites history books vs Cape Verde

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare, Reach Last 16

FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi Leads Argentina to 3-2 Win, Reach Last 16

FIFA 2026 | Who is leading Golden Boot race? Mbappe at par with Messi

FIFA WC 26: 'We're still together,' says Messi after Argentina's win over Jordan

FIFA 2026 | Argentina to rest Messi for dead-rubber Jordan group-stage fixture

FIFA 2026 | Who will win the Golden Boot? Meet early contenders and leaders

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ticket prices explode over potential Ronaldo-Messi showdown

Lionel Messi has a FIFA WC, 8 Ballon d'Or and countless titles — but not this

FIFA 2026 | 'Can’t recall:' Messi on his favorite of 18 World Cup goals

FIFA 2026 Day 12 Results | Messi, Mbappe, Haaland put their teams into R32

FIFA 2026 | 'Lionel Messi deserved a red card': Algeria lodge FIFA complaint

FIFA | Messi's father 'under medical supervision' but recovering, says family

Social media erupts after Lionel Messi escapes red card for reckless challenge

FIFA 2026 | Messi, Mbappe create history in respective WC opening wins

FIFA 2026 Day 6 Results: Messi hattrick, Mbappe and Haaland score brace in win