The 2026 World Cup has been a tournament for the stars, and the Golden Boot race has been one of its most compelling storylines. With the final match just around the corner, Kylian Mbappe has taken the lead, but Lionel Messi still has a chance to overtake him. The French forward scored two goals in the third-place play-off against England, moving him two goals clear of the Argentine. However, Messi still has one match left to respond, and if he can score twice in the final against Spain, he will take the Golden Boot by virtue of having more assists. Anything less, and Mbappe will become the first player to scoop the prize twice. The 27-year-old's double against England took him to 10 goals for the tournament, the most in a single edition of the World Cup this century. Only eight players have scored eight or more goals at a single World Cup prior to this tournament, and Mbappe is now part of an exclusive club.
The Golden Boot race is not the only thrilling storyline in the World Cup. England's Jude Bellingham has moved into third place in the standings with seven goals, the most scored by an Englishman at a single World Cup. He edged past Erling Haaland by virtue of assists, with Harry Kane one goal behind alongside France's Ousmane Dembele. The World Cup has been a tournament of records, and the final match promises to be an unforgettable showdown.