All-time Top Men's FIFA World Cup Goalscorers

Kylian Mbappé now sits alone at the top of World Cup scoring history. After the 2026 tournament, the France forward holds the all-time men's record with 22 goals in 22 appearances - a goal a game across three World Cups. Lionel Messi finished one behind on 21, having rewritten the record books himself earlier in the same tournament. For more than a decade the mark belonged to Miroslav Klose.

The German scored 16 times across four tournaments and finally overtook Brazil's Ronaldo in the 2014 semi-final against the hosts. That record stood until June 2026, when Messi first equalled it with a hat-trick against Algeria and then went clear against Austria. Mbappé, already among the most prolific players of the modern era, kept scoring and passed Messi in the third-place match against England. The list now looks like this:

1. Kylian Mbappé (France) - 22 goals in 22 matches

Four in 2018, eight in 2022 (including a hat-trick in the final), and 10 in 2026. He won the Golden Boot in both 2022 and 2026.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 21 goals in 34 matches

Six tournaments, from a teenage substitute in 2006 to a record appearance tally in 2026. He also holds the all-time World Cup assist record.

3. Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals in 24 matches

Scored in every World Cup he played (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) and lifted the trophy in Brazil.

4. Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals in 19 matches

Golden Ball in 1998, Golden Boot in 2002, two World Cup winner's medals.

5. Gerd Müller (West Germany) - 14 goals in 13 matches

5. Harry Kane (England) - 14 goals in 18 matches

Müller's rate remains extraordinary; Kane added to his tally across 2018 (6 goals), 2022 (2 goals) and 2026 (6 goals).

7. Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals in 6 matches

Still the single-tournament record, set in 1958 and never seriously threatened.

8. Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals in 14 matches

Three World Cups won, the first as a 17-year-old.

Tied on 11 goals are Sándor Kocsis (Hungary, five matches in 1954), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, six tournaments).

A cluster of players sit on 10, including Helmut Rahn, Gary Lineker, Gabriel Batistuta, Téofilo Cubillas, Thomas Müller and Grzegorz Lato. A few numbers stand out beyond the raw totals. Fontaine and Kocsis remain the most efficient of the high scorers. Mbappé's 22 in 22 is the cleanest modern rate at the very top.

Messi's total came over a far longer career and more matches than anyone else on the list. Klose never scored fewer than two goals in a World Cup he contested.The 2026 tournament changed the leaderboard more than any edition since 2014. Messi (now retired from international football) and Mbappé both arrived already close to Klose; both left having pushed the record into new territory. Whether Mbappé adds to the 22 in a future tournament is an open question, but the list that once seemed settled now has a new name at the top.

The FIFA men's World Cup has seen 2,720 goals scored from 1930 to 2022; which individuals have scored the most across the history of the tournament before World Cup 2026 begins?

1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals

Matches: 24 (across 4 tournaments)
Goals per match: ~0.67
Tournaments: 2002 (5 goals), 2006 (5, Golden Boot), 2010 (4), 2014 (2) (winner)
Details: All-time record holder. Surpassed Ronaldo's 15 with his 16th in the 2014 semi-final (7-1 vs. Brazil). Known for clinical finishing, aerial ability (multiple headers), and consistency. Scored in every tournament he played; celebrated many with his trademark somersault. Germany's all-time leading scorer overall.

2. Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals

Matches: 19
Goals per match: ~0.79
Tournaments: 1994 (0, squad member) , 1998 (4), 2002 (8, Golden Boot) , 2006 (3)
Details: "O Fenômeno." Overcame major injuries to deliver iconic performances, especially in 2002 (including two in the final). Explosive pace, skill, and power in his prime. One of the most dominant World Cup performers ever.

3. Gerd Müller (West Germany) - 14 goals

Matches: 13
Goals per match: 1.08
Tournaments: 1970 (10), 1974 (4)
Details: "Der Bomber." Phenomenal scoring rate. His 10 goals in 1970 remain one of the highest single-tournament tallies. Clinical finisher with great positioning. Scored in the 1974 final. Holds a very high goals-per-game mark among top scorers.

4. Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals

Matches: 6
Goals per match: 2.17
Tournaments: 1958 only
Details: Remarkable single-tournament record (still stands). Scored in every match, including hat-tricks. One of the highest goals-per-game rates in World Cup history. France finished third.

5. Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 13 goals

Matches: 26 (across 5 tournaments)
Goals per match: 0.50
Tournaments: 2006 (1), 2010 (0), 2014 (4), 2018 (1), 2022 (7) (winner, including final)
Details: Argentina's record World Cup scorer. Delivered his best in 2022 with goals and playmaking en route to the title. Also provided numerous assists (8+ career). Completed his legacy with the 2022 triumph.

6. Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals

Matches: 14
Goals per match: ~0.86
Tournaments: 1958 (6) , 1962 (1, injured but winner) , 1966, 1970 (4)
Details: Young sensation in 1958 (hat-trick in semi, two in final). Part of three winning teams. Visionary playmaker and finisher.

Kylian Mbappe. — Kylian Mbappe adds two to his total vs Senegal at World Cup 2026 to become France's all-time leading goalscorer

Others near the top

Kylian Mbappé (France): 12+ goals (strong rate across 2018 and 2022; hat-trick in the 2022 final).
Eusébio (Portugal) - 9 goals (all in 1966, Golden Boot; 6 matches, 1.50 gpg). Iconic "Black Panther" performance, including 4 vs. North Korea. Portugal finished third.
Harry Kane (England) - 8 goals (6 in 2018 Golden Boot + more in 2022; 11 matches). England's captain and all-time top scorer breaking Wayne Rooney's record in 2023; clinical penalty taker and leader.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 8 goals (across 5 tournaments; first to score in five different World Cups). Includes a hat-trick vs. Spain (2018). Record appearances.
Ferenc Puskás (Hungary/Spain) - 4 goals (mainly 1954 for Hungary; injured in final). Legendary for Hungary's "Magical Magyars" but limited by injury