Who is the all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup?
Kylian Mbappé is the FIFA World Cup's all-time top scorer with 22 goals, one more than Lionel Messi's 21. Both passed Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 at the 2026 tournament, per Opta Analyst and Sky Sports.
Verified·Sources named on this page, re-checked 28 September 2026
22
World Cup goals by Kylian Mbappé, the all-time record after the 2026 tournament.
Kylian Mbappé
22 goals 
Lionel Messi
21 goals Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, first and second on the all-time list; free-licensed images via the squad-face harvest.
Last verified 2026-07-23 16:02 UTC
| Player | Country | World Cup goals | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | France | 22 | Sky Sports; Opta Analyst |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 21 | Opta Analyst |
| Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 | Sky Sports; Opta Analyst |
Sources: Sky Sports, World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race (20 July 2026); Opta Analyst, France vs England, World Cup 2026 bronze final, and the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race (July 2026). Re-read 28 September 2026.
Notes
- Mbappé took the record with two goals in the third-place play-off against England; Messi did not score in the final, so the totals stand at 22 and 21.
- Only totals confirmed this session are listed. Players below Klose's 16 return to this table once each total is confirmed by FIFA or two independent outlets.