The golden boot update after last night’s semifinal is remarkable: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are now perfectly tied. Eight goals and three assists each. Messi’s two assists in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback over England drew him level with Mbappe’s tally, and the award will now be decided across two matches this weekend: Saturday’s third-place match, where Mbappe can add to his total, and Sunday’s final, where Messi gets his chance.
Updated Standings After Both Semifinals
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals | Assists | Remaining Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1= | Kylian Mbappe | France | 8 | 3 | 3rd-place match (Jul 18) |
| 1= | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 3 | Final (Jul 19) |
| 3 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 7 | 0 | Eliminated |
| 4= | Harry Kane | England | 6 | 2 | 3rd-place match (Jul 18) |
| 4= | Jude Bellingham | England | 6 | 2 | 3rd-place match (Jul 18) |
| 6 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 4 | 1 | Final (Jul 19) |
The Tiebreaker Rules
If Messi and Mbappe finish level on goals and assists, the Golden Boot goes to the player who played fewer minutes, rewarding efficiency. Mbappe has played slightly fewer minutes across the tournament because France were more dominant in the group stage, resting him for portions of the third match. This means if both finish on identical goals and assists, Mbappe would likely win the tiebreaker, making it critical for Messi to score in the final to put daylight between them.
How It Could Play Out
Saturday first: Mbappe plays the third-place match against England. If he scores, he moves to 9 goals and forces Messi to respond on Sunday. If he blanks, Messi controls his own destiny in the final.
Sunday second: Messi plays the final against Spain, the tournament’s best defense. Even one goal would likely seal the award if Mbappe fails to score Saturday, and a brace would put the race beyond doubt regardless. But scoring against a Spain defense that conceded just three goals in seven matches is the hardest task remaining in the tournament.
The wildcard: Kane and Bellingham both play Saturday and are only two goals behind. A hat-trick from either, unlikely but possible against a France side with less to play for, would create a three-way or four-way race heading into Sunday.
The Bigger Picture
Mbappe’s 20 career World Cup goals at age 27 and Messi’s 21 at 38 have both shattered Klose’s old record of 16. The 2026 Golden Boot is not just a tournament award; it is a chapter in the Messi-Mbappe rivalry that may define the next era of the sport. Mbappe, the heir apparent, chasing down the man he idolized as a child. For the full history of every World Cup individual award, see our Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Golden Glove explainer. Final standings will be confirmed after Sunday’s final. All data at FIFA.com.
