The FIFA World Cup 2026 is down to the final stretch, which means every shot now carries Golden Boot weight. Before the semi-finals, the scoreboard looks tight. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are tied on 8 goals. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are both on 6, with time to change the story. Erling Haaland has 7, but Norway are already out.

Goals leaders: top five scorers so far

Here is the clear picture before the semi-finals. Lionel Messi has 8 goals in 6 matches for Argentina. Kylian Mbappé also has 8 in 6 matches for France, matching Messi strike for strike. Erling Haaland sits on 7 in 5 matches for Norway, an elite rate that now freezes with his team eliminated. Jude Bellingham has 6 in 6 for England, a midfielder doing centre-forward numbers.

Harry Kane joins Bellingham on 6 in 6 for England, which keeps both Three Lions in the chase. The margin at the top is slim, and there are still up to two fixtures left for the active contenders. Messi and Mbappé share the lead, but the tie can be broken quickly with one big night. With England’s duo two back, a brace from either puts real pressure on the leaders. Haaland’s 7 could still win a share if everyone stalls, but that needs a lot to go his way.

The Haaland question and the chasing duo

Erling Haaland’s 7 in 5 was always going to keep him in the frame. Norway finished second in Group I with 6 points and an 8–7 goal record, then departed in the knockouts. That exit locks his tally and leaves him hoping for a traffic jam at the top. With Messi and Mbappé on 8 and still active, the math is simple. One goal from either would move the target to 9.

That is where England come in. Bellingham has been decisive late in matches, and 6 from midfield in 6 appearances is rare air. Kane’s scoring profile in tournaments often includes penalties, which can swing races in a heartbeat. If England play two more matches, both have a real shot at 8 or more. The path is narrow, but not closed.

What could decide the Golden Boot this week

Minutes left on the pitch will decide a lot. An active race means up to two matches remain for Messi, Mbappé, Bellingham and Kane. If the leaders stay level on goals by the final whistle of the tournament, standard Golden Boot tiebreakers apply, starting with assists, then fewest minutes played. That makes creators like Messi and Bellingham especially interesting, since their chance-making can double as a tiebreak edge.

Match state will also matter. If Argentina or France take early control, their lead scorers may see more transition chances. Tight semi-finals could favor penalty takers like Kane. England’s set-piece threat is another small lever in a short race. A single brace from any of the four active names could settle it. Keep an eye on who takes penalties, who stays on for 90, and who racks up key passes.

How to follow the race on Sofascore

If you want to track every shot and swing in real time, Sofascore has you covered. Match pages show live goal updates, shot maps and top scorer tallies as they change. You can also follow players for instant notifications when Messi, Mbappé, Bellingham or Kane hit the net. Their live Sofascore Rating will reflect overall impact, helpful if tiebreakers come down to assists or minutes.

Dive into team pages to see how Argentina, France and England produced their group-stage numbers, straight from the standings. Check appearances to measure who is likely to stay on late in matches. Use the head-to-head page for each semi-final to gauge chance creation trends. By the time the medals come out, you will know exactly how the Golden Boot was won.