France captain and Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappé, has become the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer after finishing the 2026 tournament with 22 goals.
The updated all-time scoring chart, released by FIFA after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in the United States on Sunday, places Mbappe ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who retired from the tournament with 21 goals.
Mbappé reached the milestone in just 22 World Cup appearances, while Messi scored his 21 goals across a record 34 matches spanning six editions of the tournament.
Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who had held the outright record for over a decade with 16 goals, is now third on the all-time list.
Brazil legend Ronaldo occupies fourth place with 15 goals in 19 appearances, while Germany’s Gerd Müller and England captain Harry Kane are tied for fifth with 14 goals each. Müller achieved the feat in just 13 matches, while Kane reached the mark in 18 appearances.
France’s Just Fontaine remains one of the most remarkable names on the list, scoring 13 goals in only six matches during the 1958 World Cup.
Brazil icon Pelé is eighth with 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches.
Also Read: Torres dedicates goal to 47 million Spaniards
Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann, Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo are tied on 11 goals.
Klinsmann scored his goals in 17 matches, Kocsis in just five games, while Cristiano Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 appearances.
Below is the full list of World Cup all-time leading scorers
Kylian Mbappe, France, – 22 goals in 22 matches
Lionel Messi, Argentina, – 21 goals in 34 matches
Miroslav Klose, Germany, – 16 goals in 24 matches
Ronaldo, Brazil, – 15 goals in 19 matches
Gerd Müller, Germany, – 14 goals in 13 matches
Harry Kane, England, – 14 goals in 18 matches
Just Fontaine, France, – 13 goals in six matches
Pelé, Brazil, – 12 goals in 14 matches
Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany, – 11 goals in 17 matches
Sandor Kocsis, Hungary, – 11 goals in five matches
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, – 11 goals in 27 matches.
