Top 10: FIFA World Cup goal scorers

Every four years the FIFA World Cup rolls around as the biggest sporting event in the world.

Legends are made on the grandest stage and it’s usually the goal scorers we remember the most.

These are the Top 10 goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history.

Top 10: FIFA World Cup goal scorers

1 - Kylian Mbappé (France) - 22 goals

Mbappé has been on a heater at World Cups, putting away 22 goals in as many appearances (including 2026). He netted four goals in the 2018 edition including once as France beat Croatia, becoming the second teenager to score in a Final joining Pelé. Scored a hat-trick in the losing 2022 Final against Argentina for a total of eight in Qatar. His opening goal of the 2026 tournament against Senegal saw him bypass Pelé momentarily into equal fourth place alongside fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi (who has since broken the record). His second allowed him to join Gerd Müller in equal third. Mbappe then netted a brace in the 3-0 win over Iraq which saw him move to equal second with Miroslav Klose. The inevitable Mbappé then scored a brace in the Round of 32 in the 3-0 win over Sweden and a penalty in the 1-0 Round of 16 win over Paraguay to go outright second on 19 goals. He missed a penalty in the quarter final against Morocco before scoring a sublime gilt-edged chance in the second half of the 2-0 win. He then helped himself to a double in the outrageous 6-4 loss to England in the third place playoff to grab the record off Lionel Messi. Remarkably, 19 of Mbappé's 22 World Cup goals have come in the second half or later.

2 - Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 21 goals

Arguably the greatest footballer in history, Messi has now found the back of the net on 21 occasions from 29 World Cup outings (including 2026). Scored twice in the Final (and then again from the spot) in the shootout as Argentina defeated France in 2022. Began this year's edition with the record in his sights and moved into equal third after netting against Algeria in the first half of their group opener. His second-half goal against Algeria saw him move to 15 goals and equal second with Brazilian great Ronaldo. Messi netted a third (his first World Cup hat-trick) to sit level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals. He then scored twice in the 2-0 win over Austria. He started the third group game against Jordan on the bench but still managed to score late in proceedings before tallying his 20th World Cup in the Round of 16 win over Cape Verde. Messi netted AGAIN in the remarkable Round of 16 comeback win over Egypt. The record has been his most of the tournament until Kylian Mbappe netted a brace in the third place playoff.

3 - Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals

Germany’s consummate professional who dismantled defences across four World Cups. 16 goals from 24 matches is a great return. Helped Germany lift the 2014 World Cup trophy.

4 - Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals

Arguably the greatest striker of his generation, Ronaldo was a goal machine with power, nous and nuance. Won two World Cups (1994 and 2002), scoring twice in the ’02 triumph.

Eq.5 - Harry Kane (England) - 14 goals

The England captain entered the conversation by scoring twice in his side's 2026 opener against Croatia. He also scored in the third group game against Panama to move to 11 World Cup goals which had him sitting equal eighth with Sándor Kocsis and Jürgen Klinsmann. He went to equal sixth with a match-winning brace in the 2-1 Round of 32 win over DR Congo. Kane then netted another penalty - a record sixth at World Cups - in the 3-2 win over Mexico in the Round of 32. His 14 World Cup goals is an England record and his him sitting equal fifth.

Eq.5 - Gerd Müller (West Germany) - 14 goals

A prolific and efficient striker who starred for West Germany in the 1960s and 70s. Scored 14 World Cup goals in 13 outings across two tournaments - a dazzling return.

7 - Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals

Crazy to think that the superstar Frenchman scored all 13 of his goals in just one World Cup. Fontaine dominated in 1958, scoring in all six matches as Les Bleus finished third in Sweden.

8 - Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals

Brazil’s best ever lit up four World Cups with 12 goals in 14 matches. Pelé piled on six goals as a 17-year-old including two in the Final, as Brazil downed host nation Sweden in 1958. The eternal samba King is a three-time World Cup winner.

Eq.9 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 11 goals

The Portuguese great entered his sixth World Cup with eight goals before netting a brace in the 5-0 group stage win over Uzbekistan at the 2026 edition. In doing so he became the first man to score at six World Cups. He then converted a crucial penalty in the dramatic come-from-behind Round of 32 win over Croatia to take his World Cup tally to 11. That was his first knockout goal allowing him to become the oldest at the age of 41 to score beyond the group stage, knocking off old teammate Pepe.

Eq.9 - Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 11 goals

Score all 11 goals in five appearances at the 1954 World Cup.

Eq.9 - Jürgen Klinsmann (West Germany / Germany) - 11 goals

Played in three World Cups, scoring five times in the 1994 edition. Helped Germany win the 1990 World Cup.

Eq.12 - Helmut Rahn (West Germany) - 10 goals
Eq.12 - Gary Lineker (England) - 10 goals
Eq.12 - Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) - 10 goals
Eq.12 - Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) - 10 goals
Eq.12 - Thomas Müller (Germany) - 10 goals
Eq.12 - Grzegorz Lato (Poland) - 10 goals

The FIFA World Cup 26™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada kicks off on Friday, June 12. You can hear EVERY GAME LIVE across the SEN network.