The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot is well and truly alive as we head into the semi-finals. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are locked on eight goals each with two games remaining.
The bookmakers were spot on before the tournament, Messi and Mbappé listed as favourites which has proved to be correct. Mbappé holds the edge with three assists to Messi's one which will be used as the tiebreaker should they finish level.
It's not certain that Messi or Mbappé will claim the top goalscorer award however. There are four players who have a chance to stake a late claim, led by English superstars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
2026 World Cup - Top Goalscorer Betting Odds
Kylian Mbappe sits narrowly ahead of Lionel Messi with Harry Kane a long way back. Jude Bellingham is given a chance with Ousmane Dembele and Mikel Oyarzabal rounding up the market.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | 1.83 |
| Lionel Messi |
2.38 |
| Harry Kane |
11.00 |
| Jude Bellingham |
21.00 |
| Ousmane Dembélé | 51.00 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal |
101.00 |
Kylian Mbappé (France - 8 Goals)
Mbappé is on target to replicate his 2022 Golden Boot triumph. The French captain has bagged eight goals and holds the advantage thanks to his three assists.
With a staggering 20 career World Cup goals to his name at just 27-years-old, he continues to benefit from a supporting cast including Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.
Because Les Bleus are heavily favoured to win the World Cup, Mbappé is expected to play plenty of minutes which makes him the obvious favourite.
Lionel Messi (Argentina - 8 Goals)
At 39-years-old, Lionel Messi continues to show is class with eight goals of his own. Cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time, he recently broke Miroslav Klose's record for the most goals in World Cup history.
Argentina face a tough test to defend their title, but as the designated penalty taker and focal point of the attack, discounting Messi in the final stretch could prove costly.
Harry Kane (England - 6 Goals)
England’s talisman remains alive in the Golden Boot conversation, lurking just behind the leaders with six goals. Harry Kane, the Golden Boot winner in 2018, has used his elite finishing to guide the Three Lions into the last four.
Kane is always a danger of scoring multiple goals and offers immense value if you believe England can beat Argentina and reach the final.
Jude Bellingham (England - 6 Goals)
The wild card of the 2026 World Cup has undoubtedly been Jude Bellingham, his odds skyrocketing after explosive knockout stage performances.
Sitting at six goals, the dynamic midfielder is the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup knockout games.
Bellingham’s threat comes from his late, untracked runs into the box and his uncanny ability to rise to the biggest occasions. His efficiency has been world-class and if the front-runners stall in the semi-finals, Bellingham is a dark horse capable of stealing the crown.
Ousmane Dembélé (France - 5 Goals)
Ousmane Dembélé sits just outside the top tier with five goals and two assists. The electric winger entered the tournament hunting for his first-ever career World Cup goal and did it in style after a first-half hat-trick against Norway.
His blistering pace leaves opposing defenders with difficult decisions to make. Having scored the match-killing second goal against Morocco to secure France’s semi-final spot, Dembélé is full of confidence and represents a massive long shot.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain -4 Goals)
Spain’s attack has been led by Mikel Oyarzabal who has quietly racked up four goals and one assist. He scored twice against Saudi Arabia and Austria to prove he can quickly climb the table.
Oyarzabal’s intelligent movement makes him a constant threat, but he realistically needs a multi-goal explosion in the semi-finals to have any chance of claiming the prize.
Verdict
Punters who backed Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi before the World Cup began can sit back and enjoy the ride. Getting on either of the two superstars now is not too appealing due to the short odds.
For bettors looking to dodge the favourites, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are the obvious choices due to their ability to score multiple goals in a match.