Messi Leads the 2026 World Cup Top Scorers List, Harry Kane Follows Closely.

The race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot is already heating up, even right from the very first group stage match. Argentina National Team captain Lionel Messi temporarily tops the goalscoring rankings after netting a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria.

Messi was the star of La Albiceleste's opening Group J win against Algeria. His three goals put the Argentine legend at the very top of the provisional top scorer list with three goals to his name.

However, Messi's lead is far from secure. Just one day later, England National Team Captain Harry Kane applied immediate pressure, scoring a brace as The Three Lions defeated Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener at Arlington Stadium, Texas, early Thursday WIB.

Kane's two goals laid the foundation for England's victory. The remaining two goals were contributed by Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, while Croatia replied through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.

That brace against Croatia puts Kane firmly among the leading contenders for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot. England's star striker sits just one goal behind Messi, and is part of the pack of players currently sitting on two goals.

Alongside Kane, a number of big name forwards also showed their sharpness on the first matchday. France striker Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1, while Norway's main striker Erling Haaland also bagged a double in his side's 4-1 rout of Iraq.

The competition only tightens further, as Germany forward Kai Havertz also notched two goals. It is not just elite European players making their mark either: surprise performers including Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari, New Zealand forward Elijah Just and United States striker Folarin Balogun have also joined the race.

Elsewhere, all eyes were on Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old failed to open his goalscoring account after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most notably, Ronaldo did not register a single shot on target over the entire match.

With the group stage still far from concluded, the top scorer race is predicted to grow even fiercer. Messi may hold the early lead, but Kane, Mbappé, Haaland and a host of other lethal forwards are ready to apply constant pressure in the hunt for the 2026 World Cup top goalscorer title.

2026 World Cup Provisional Top Scorers

3 Goals
Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2 Goals
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Harry Kane (England)
Yasin Ayari (Sweden)
Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Folarin Balogun (United States)