If the first few weeks of the 2026 World Cup have shown us anything, it has been that football’s top strikers mean business in their quest to pick up the coveted Golden Boot award for top goalscorer on July 19th.
With Lionel Messi tied with Kylian Mbappe on six goals, and Harry Kane and Erling Haaland lurking just one goal behind them, it’s hard to believe that as recently as the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, five goals was enough to win the Golden Boot for Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller respectively.
Indeed, in the first of those editions, the runner-up spots were occupied by Hernan Crespo and Cristiano Ronaldo on just three apiece - we’re barely four games into this 2026 tournament and there are already 21 players on three goals or more!
Our latest review studies their prospects, along with their latest betting odds:
Kylian Mbappe (6 goals)
- Latest Odds: 5/4 (2.50)
The reigning Golden Boot winner was understandably the bookmaker early favourite, and justified that tag with a brace of braces against Senegal and Iraq, and only Messi’s brilliance has nudged him from the top of the market.
France are favourite’s to go all the way, so it has to be expected that Mbappe will have plenty of chances to add to his lightning start, and maybe even overhaul Messi’s newly-created record.
Lionel Messi (6 goals)
- Latest Odds: 7/5 (2.40)
Messi wasted no time helping himself to the tournament's first hat-trick in the opening 3-0 win against Algeria, before adding both goals in their subsequent 2-0 win over Austria. Even when rested against Jordan, he came off the bench to add another to become the first ever player to score in seven consecutive World Cup tournament games. The little magician will surely fancy his chances of extending that record when Argentina face Cape Verde in their round-of-32 encounter on Friday night.
Harry Kane (5 goals)
- Latest Odds: 8/1 (9.00)
England’s captain and talisman made an early statement by scoring twice before half-time in the thrilling 4-2 opener against Croatia. Snuffed out by Ghana’s low block in a goalless draw, Kane was back on the scoresheet against Panama, and was at his best when his two late goals proved to be the difference in England’s 2-1 comeback win against DR Congo. If England are to progress to the later stages, then it will almost inevitably need more goals from the bayern Munich striker who is in the form of his life.
- READ MORE: England’s route to the 2026 World Cup Final
Erling Haaland (5 goals)
- Latest Odds: 20/1 21.00)
Erling Haaland’s late winner against Ivory Coast was the 13th consecutive international match in which the Manchester City star has found the net, adding to the brace of braces he bagged in his team’s opening victories against Iraq and Senegal. Norway’s chances depend heavily on their star striker’s ability to find the net, but in his current form they could yet emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses. He was rested against France, so facing Brazil in the round of 16 represents the real acid test, and his generous odds are a reflection of that.
Mikel Oyarzabal (4 goals)
- Latest Odds: 20/1 (21.00)
Spain’s number 10 came into the tournament in sensational form, but drew a blank in Spain's shock goalless opener against Cabo Verde. He quickly put that right by scoring twice in the 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia, while his second double in his side’s 3-0 victory over Austria keeps him in the conversation.
Spain’s ability to dominate possession and create chances bodes well for Oyarzabal’s Golden Boot prospects, plus he is also a designated penalty taker, which is always a massive bonus in this market.
Ousmane Dembele (4 goals)
- Latest Odds: 25/1 (26.00)
After bagging 55 goals for Paris Saint-Germain over the last two seasons, Dembele was one of the pre-tournament favourites for the goalscoring award, but didn’t open his account until late into the 3-0 stroll against Iraq second time out. However, that soon changed when a first-half hat-trick set up his side’s 4-1 win over Norway in the final group game. He drew another blank against Sweden, but with France becoming the first ever team to score more than three goals in four straight World Cup games, there could be plenty more to come for the PSG star.
Vinicius Jnr (4 goals)
- Latest Odds: 33/1 (34.00)
Vinicius continues to lurk under the bookies’ radar, so he potentially represents a massive opportunity if Brazil’s attacking ethos takes them deep into the tournament. Vinicius got off the mark in a tricky opener against Morocco and helped himself to another to help his side to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti, before bagging another brace against Scotland. The Real Madrid winger remains the focal point of a mobile Brazilian attack, and his price perfectly reflects the balance between a deep tournament run and a highly favourable group stage schedule.
- READ MORE: How to bet smart at the 2026 World Cup