Who has most goals in World Cup history? Lionel Messi ascends to top spot, Kylian Mbappé closing in

With the 2026 World Cup in full swing, it was only a matter of time before Argentina's Lionel Messi broke the all-time record.

Already considered by many as the greatest of all time, Messi has now scored more goals than any other player in World Cup history. He earned his 17th and 18th during Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria. Then he added another against Jordan on a sublime free kick from outside the box for his 19th in the competition. Now, it's just a question of how many more he'll add to his ledger this tournament.

France's Kylian Mbappé moved the No. 2 spot on the all-time list in the knockout rounds, but Messi still has a narrow lead.

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Here are the highest-scoring players in the history of FIFA's quadrennial global tournament. (Note: There are six players with 10 World Cup goals, including Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first player to score at six World Cups on Tuesday with a first-half brace.)

No. 8 (tied): Harry Kane, England (11)

England's talisman came into this tournament with eight goals across his first two World Cups. He had six in 2018 and two more in 2022 as the Three Lions got to the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. He had a brace in the 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia, and then nabbed another against Panama to overtake Gary Lineker as England's all-time leader in the competition.

No. 8 (tied): Jürgen Klinsmann, Germany (11)

Klinsmann is probably better known now as a former U.S. and Germany manager, but in his heyday, the forward was a scoring menace. He tallied 11 goals across three World Cups, including in 1990 when Germany won the tournament.

No. 8 (tied): Sándor Kocsis, Hungary (11)

Kocsis had a national team record of seven hat tricks for Hungary and scored all 11 of his World Cup goals at the 1954 tournament. He had two hat tricks in that World Cup but the Hungarians fell in the final against West Germany.

No. 7: Pelé, Brazil (12)

While many consider him the GOAT, the Brazilian legend needs no introduction. He made his debut at the 1958 World Cup and delivered six goals as a 17-year-old while Brazil won it all. He only played in four matches total over the following two World Cups, but Brazil won it all again in 1962. To cap off his career, he led his country to another title at the 1970 World Cup for a total of 12 goals.

No. 6: Just Fontaine, France (13)

France striker Just Fontaine stands alone in history in terms of goals at a single World Cup. He scored an astonishing 13 goals in six games at Sweden 1958 – a record for one World Cup. 'Justo' had a hat trick, two braces, a game-winner, a goal against champion Brazil and a four-goal outing in the third-place playoff game.

No. 5: Gerd Müller, West Germany (14)

Müller is another player whose efficiency has stood the test of time. He only played in two World Cups (1970 and 1974), but delivered 10 goals to win the Golden Boot in the former and added another four goals in his second and final tournament, which West Germany won.

No. 4: Ronaldo, Brazil (15)

Another Brazilian legend, Ronaldo made the World Cup-winning 1994 team but didn't see any action. Over the next three tournaments though, Ronaldo went on a tear, scoring four goals in 1998, eight in 2002 when Brazil won it all, and then he tacked on another three at his final World Cup in 2006.

No. 3: Miroslav Klose, Germany (16)

The name that's been mentioned a lot as Messi and Mbappé pursued history, Klose was best known as a relentless poacher who never missed an opportunity in front of the net. The striker had five goals each in 2002 and 2006. Then he added another four in 2010 and capped off his international career with two more at the 2014 World Cup as Germany hoisted the trophy.

No. 2: Kylian Mbappé, France (17)

The French sparkplug has rapidly ascended this list and is expected to chase Lionel Messi at the top of it. He's only 27 years old and has 17 goals in 18 World Cup games. He had four in his debut at the 2018 World Cup when France won it all, eight in 2022 when France lost to Argentina in the title game, and he has continued to pile on at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

No. 1: Lionel Messi, Argentina (19)

The Argentinian is simply adding to his legacy with every dart through an opposing defense. He shredded Algeria for his first World Cup hat trick in the team's opener and broke the record with a classic strike and then added a second goal against Algeria. He started on the bench against Jordan, but it didn't matter. He scored on a free kick all the same. This is Messi's sixth World Cup as he looks to follow up the 2022 tournament where he scored seven goals and led Argentina to the title.