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 - 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.

2 - 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.3 - 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.

Eq.3 - Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 14 goals

Arguably the greatest footballer in history, Messi has found the back of the net on 14 occasions from 27 World Cup outings (including 2026). Scored twice in then 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.

Eq.3 - Kylian Mbappé (France) - 14 goals

Mbappé has been on a heater at World Cups, putting away 14 goals in 15 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 into equal fourth place alongside fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. His second allowed him to join Gerd Müller in equal third. Remarkably, 13 of Mbappe's 14 World Cup goals have come in the second half.

6 - 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.

7 - 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.8 - Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 11 goals

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

Eq.8 - 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.10 - Helmut Rahn (West Germany) - 10 goals
Eq.10 - Gary Lineker (England) - 10 goals
Eq.10 - Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) - 10 goals
Eq.10 - Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) - 10 goals
Eq.10 - Thomas Müller (Germany) - 10 goals
Eq.10 - 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.