World Cup all-time scoring record, Klose leads, Messi and Kylian Mbappé could threaten in 2026 | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup could see a new name top the all-time scoring chart. According to L'Équipe, the mark is within reach as the tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Miroslav Klose currently leads with 16 goals in 24 matches across four editions between 2002 and 2014.

Ronaldo is second on 15 from 19 matches between 1994 and 2006, followed by compatriot Gerd Müller on 14 from 13 matches in 1970 and 1974.

Two active players in the top 10 could overtake them, Lionel Messi with 13 and Kylian Mbappé with 12. Each is guaranteed at least three group matches in 2026, and Messi is set for a fifth World Cup.

The single-edition benchmark remains Just Fontaine’s 13 in 1958. Only two others have reached double figures at one tournament, Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis with 11 in only five matches in 1954, and Müller, who scored 10 of his 14 in 1970.

Three efforts from this century sit inside the top 10 single-tournament list, Ronaldo with Brazil in 2002 on eight, Kylian Mbappé for France in 2022 on eight, and Lionel Messi for Argentina in 2022 on seven. That pattern suggests Fontaine could still keep his record, although the expanded 2026 schedule, with up to eight matches for finalists, offers more chances to score.

Source: L'Équipe