Updated: 6 July 2026. All statistics are verified
The World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race has taken a dramatic turn heading into the quarter-finals. What started as a predictable battle between the usual suspects has become one of the most thrilling individual storylines in tournament history, with three players now tied at the top on seven goals each, and a fourth breathing down their necks. If you are following the World Cup 2026 top scorer betting markets, buckle up. This one is far from settled.
Find out how every major World Cup 2026 top-scorer contender stands as of 6 July 2026, with their number of goals, path to the final, and betting odds.
The Malaysian-friendly sportsbook 1xBet offers a comprehensive outright betting market section for the World Cup 2026 top scorer
1. Kylian Mbappé — 7 Goals | France (FRA)
Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race on goal difference, not in goals, but in assists. With two assists alongside his seven goals, he edges ahead of Messi and Haaland on the FIFA tiebreaker that kicks in when goal tallies are level. He has scored in all but one of France's five games at this World Cup, netting two goals on three separate occasions, and France have been the most clinical attacking side in the tournament.
Their forward line also includes Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Michael Olise. France has scored the most goals and taken the most shots of any remaining team, which means Mbappé will continue to have chances.
Path to the final: France face Morocco on 6 July in the quarter-finals, then potentially Portugal/Spain or Belgium/USA in the semi-final, and the final on 19 July. Three more matches, if they go all the way, three more opportunities to add to his tally.
Golden Boot betting odds: Mbappé is the current favorite to win the World Cup 2026 top scorer award, and rightfully so. France's depth gives him the platform, the tiebreaker currently works in his favor, and he is the defending Golden Boot winner from 2022.
2. Lionel Messi — 7 Goals | Argentina (ARG)
At 39 years old, Lionel Messi is doing things that should be impossible. Messi has scored in eight straight World Cup matches, dating back to the 2022 tournament, and his seventh goal of this tournament, a record-extending 20th career World Cup goal, came in Argentina's dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde on 3 July.
He has now surpassed every scorer in the history of the men's game at World Cups. He opened this tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria in Kansas City, before adding a brace against Austria and a free-kick off the bench against Jordan to build his tally game by game.
Path to the final: Argentina face Egypt in the next round on 7 July, with a potential quarter-final against Colombia or Switzerland to follow. Three matches remain if Argentina goes all the way.
Golden Boot betting odds: Messi sits just behind Mbappé in most markets due to the assists tiebreaker. But at 39, in what is almost certainly his final World Cup, the sentiment and the football are perfectly aligned. If Argentina reach the final, do not bet against him finding the net.
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3. Erling Haaland — 7 Goals | Norway (NOR)
Nobody saw this coming quite like this. After Norway's opening game against Iraq, in which Haaland netted twice in a 4-1 win, he added two more goals against Senegal before netting the winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 32. Then came the moment that sent shockwaves through the tournament: Haaland's brace in Norway's round-of-16 win against Brazil put him level with Messi and Mbappé on seven goals, eliminating the five-time champions in the process. It was Norway's greatest ever result at a World Cup, and Haaland delivered it personally. This marks the first time three players have netted seven or more goals in a single World Cup.
Path to the final: Norway faces England in the quarter-finals, a mouthwatering clash at MetLife Stadium. Should they progress, a semi-final against Argentina/Egypt or Columbia/Switzerland awaits. Haaland vs Mbappé in the semis would be one of the great individual duels in tournament history.
Golden Boot betting odds: Haaland is behind on the assists tiebreaker compared to Mbappé, but he is the most naturally prolific goalscorer in the world in form. If Norway goes deep, he will score. The betting markets have him as a close third favorite, and at the odds currently available, he represents genuine value for World Cup top scorer Malaysia betting punters.
4. Harry Kane — 6 Goals | England (ENG)
A quickfire double from Jude Bellingham and a second-half penalty from Harry Kane gave England a thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico in their World Cup round-of-16 clash at the Azteca Stadium, a ground where no visiting team had ever beaten Mexico in a World Cup match across 10 previous attempts. Kane's penalty was the decisive goal, and it came against the run of play with England down to 10 men.
Kane has now set the record for the most goals scored for England at FIFA World Cups, having previously equaled Gary Lineker's record of ten career World Cup goals with a brace against Croatia in the group stage, before his goals against Paraguay, DR Congo, and Mexico pushed him clear.
England Football Path to the final: England face Norway next in the quarter-finals, which also happens to be the most intriguing sub-plot in the entire Golden Boot race, with Kane and Haaland meeting head to head. Win that, and England would face Argentina/Egypt or Columbia/Switzerland in the semi-final.
Golden Boot betting odds: Kane is one goal behind the top three but still very much alive. He is one of two players at this World Cup who have previously won the Golden Boot. He took the prize in Russia in 2018. No player has ever won the award twice, which adds a compelling storyline to his pursuit. English betting markets have him as a strong local favorite, and Harry Kane's World Cup Golden Boot odds have shortened significantly after the Mexico result.
5. Jude Bellingham — 4 Goals | England (ENG)
Bellingham's brace against Mexico was a reminder of what he offers at the highest level, two goals in under two minutes to put England 2-0 up at the Azteca. He is four goals behind the leaders, which is a significant gap, but England has up to three matches remaining, and Bellingham's ability to arrive late into the box makes him a consistent threat. He is the wildcard in the FIFA World Cup 2026 top scorer race, unlikely to win it, but not impossible if England go all the way and he stays in this form.
Golden Boot Betting Summary for Malaysian Punters
As of 6 July 2026, the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot betting market is one of the most exciting outright markets on any sportsbook. Three players tied on seven, one goal back at six, and potentially four or five matches still to play. The tiebreaker currently favors Mbappé, but goals change everything. The two popular bookmakers in Malaysia, Uwin33 and WE88, offer great outright odds for Malaysian players to bet on the 2026 Golden Boot.
For Malaysian bettors looking for World Cup betting value, Haaland at his current odds offers the most upside. Norway's run has been extraordinary; he scores in virtually every game, and if they eliminate England, the odds will shorten dramatically. Messi, at what may be his last World Cup, is the sentimental pick. And Mbappé, with France's firepower behind him and the tiebreaker in his favor, remains the most logical selection.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final takes place on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Whoever wins the Golden Boot that night will have earned it against the finest competition the sport has ever assembled in a single tournament.
