Home of football statistics and historyQualifying is not yet complete, but we already know plenty of the teams who will line up at World Cup 2026 in the Americas. Set to be played across continents for the very first time, FIFA’s flagship tournament is football’s biggest showcase, and as such, most of the world’s top players will be in attendance. And as well as the major storyline of who will be crowned global champions are many interesting subplots, including which player will take home the coveted Golden Boot award, secured by the tournament’s top scorer.
Past winners
Winners of the FIFA Golden Boot award down the years reads like a who’s who of striking superstars. Brazilian Ronaldo, Eusebio, Paolo Rossi, Mario Kempes, Gerd Muller and Gary Lineker are just some of the legendary names to have claimed the award (known officially as the Golden Shoe before 2010). And there are a couple of previous winners who are among the favourites this time around too. France’s Kylian Mbappe claimed the prize last time round with his eight goals, including a hattrick in the final, while England’s Harry Kane won the award in 2018 by hitting the back of the net six times. But there are also some notable absences from the list of previous winners, among them two of the game’s greatest ever players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. We await confirmation that both or either will be playing this time around with Portugal and Argentina already confirmed qualifiers.
The 2026 favourites
The form goalscorers of the 2025/26 season are of course among the hot favourites for the Golden Boot award in 2026. Chief among them are those two previous winners in the shape of Mbappe and Kane. Their form for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively leaves most in no doubt that anyone who finishes above both in the pecking order of goals will be the most likely winner. And of course, France and England are among the favourites as potential World Cup winners, meaning plenty of games for these two to tally up their numbers. Another player who will no doubt be among the bookmakers’ favourites is Manchester City and Norway talisman Erling Haaland. His country is likely to secure a spot for the first time since 1998, and with players of the calibre of Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Oscar Bobb and Alexander Sorloth, could be among the dark horses to go deep in the competition. It’s therefore no surprise to see Europe’s trio of hottest goalscorers – Mbappe, Kane and Haaland – as the sports betting sites’ favourites for the Golden Boot prize in 2026.
Can old guard shine?
It’s incredible to think that Ronaldo, Messi or Robert Lewandowski have failed to claim a Golden Boot award between them over the course of their illustrious careers. And while it is far from certain that all or any of these three legends of the game will be in the Americas for the 2026 World Cup, for various reasons, what a story it would be for any of the three to secure the Golden Boot award in what would surely be their last effort. Indeed, these are the only three players to have scored over 100 goals apiece in the world’s premier club competition – the Champions League. Their reputations alone will be enough to see them hit the top ten list for the Golden Boot award if they feature this time round.
Other candidates
Who else is there? Well, it’s normal to take a glance around the most fancied nations to see if there are any contenders for the Golden Boot prize. Apart from Messi, Argentina have an in-form goalscorer in the shape of Julian Alvarez, who has been hitting the back of the net regularly for club side Atletico Madrid. Other Spain-based players who are in with a shout are Real Madrid and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior, while Ferran Torres is bound to be a threat for perennial favourites Spain.
Portugal has another red-hot scorer in PSG’s Goncalo Ramos, while France have a ridiculous strength in depth, with Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele – two more PSG players – who will no doubt be among the most heavily backed players. Then there are high-profile players from some of the less-fancied nations, such as Canada’s Jonathan David – who is bound to be a much touted home favourite and an interesting one to check out on the Calgary2026 Betting Sites. South Korea’s Son Heung-Min, USA’s Christian Pulisic and Egypt’s Mo Salah are other examples. Or indeed, just like Toto Schillaci back in 1990, there may be a surprise player that embarks on a run of scoring that will catapult him to cult status. That’s all part of the excitement of a FIFA World Cup.
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