The race for the coveted Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup is reaching its peak, with Kylian Mbappé of France and Lionel Messi of Argentina locked in a tight contest for the tournament's top scorer award. Both players have amassed six goals, but Messi holds a tiebreaker advantage with four assists to Mbappé's three.
As the tournament heads into its final matches, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England also remain technically in contention with six goals each, though they would need exceptional performances to overtake the leading duo.
Before the tournament began, Kane and Mbappé were considered co-favorites, with odds of +700 and +800 respectively, while Messi was a longer shot at 14/1. Now, Messi is also the strong favorite to win the Golden Ball, the award for the tournament's best player. Should he secure both awards, he would emulate Italy's Paolo Rossi, who achieved the feat in 1982.
Despite Messi's strong bid for both accolades, betting analysts suggest Mbappé has a more favorable matchup to secure the Golden Boot. Argentina's opponent, Spain, has a formidable defense, having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament and effectively stifling France's attack in the semifinals. Conversely, England has shown defensive vulnerabilities, and their motivation may be impacted after a late semifinal loss.
Kylian Mbappé is the current odds-on favorite to win the Golden Boot at +150, according to Kalshi. He is seeking to win the award for the second consecutive World Cup.
The World Cup Final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, with the third-place match occurring on Saturday. The Golden Boot will be awarded following the conclusion of these final games.