The usual favorites for the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States got off to flying starts in the first matchday of the group stage.
France’s Kylian Mbappe scored twice at MetLife Stadium in a 3-1 win over Senegal on Tuesday, which moved him past Just Fontaine for his country’s all-time scoring record at a World Cup.
Hours later, Norway’s Erling Haaland added a pair in his country’s first match on this stage since 1998 — a 4-1 thrashing of Iraq.
Lionel Messi proved that age is an unimportant number, as the 38-year-old recorded a hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the late game on Tuesday night, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time World Cup goalscoring record (16).
Harry Kane, not to be outdone, answered with a brace of his own in England’s impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday evening.
“I saw the guys scoring their goals [Tuesday]. I don’t like to concentrate too much on other people, but it’s natural as a sportsman, as an athlete, to try and reach the highest levels,” Kane admitted. “All those guys started in a great way. Been waiting long enough to play the game. We had to wait six days. Everyone’s been itching to get out there, and I think as a striker, I want to get on the scoresheet as early as possible. In the back of my mind, that competition helps me to push my levels. That’s what the World Cup is for: For the best players to perform at the highest levels.”
Now with 10 career goals at this competition, he has drawn level with England’s all-time top scorer, Gary Lineker.
“It’s a great milestone to reach to hit 10 goals at a World Cup… To be on that number now is really pleasing,” Kane said. “It’s very special. It’s the first game, I’m feeling good physically, mentally. The goals I’ve scored this year is at the highest level I’ve ever had in my career. I feel like I’m at the peak of my powers at the right time.”
What an appetizer this first week has been.
Messi is on the precipice of setting a new all-time World Cup record on Monday when Argentina faces off against Austria in Arlington, TX. Mbappe is just two goals behind him at 14, and France plays the weakest team of Group I, Iraq, on Monday in Philadelphia, where another multi-goal outing could very well be in the cards.
“He’s an iconic player,” French manager Didier Deschamps said. “…I’m very happy for him. He told me that he didn’t want to score in the friendly matches; he wanted to score in a real match, especially here. He has an aura… he’s a very decisive player.”
Perhaps there is no scorer more dangerous than Haaland, who is getting his first taste of a World Cup at 25. He scored a staggering 16 goals in eight matches during Norway’s qualification process. Add his two goals on Tuesday, and he has scored in every single World Cup-designated match of this process.
“It’s about continuing, don’t think too much,” Haaland said. “It’s difficult at this stage. Just focus on the next [game]. Be happy, but stay calm. I will say I’m up there [with the best strikers in the world], but I don’t think I scored the most goals this season, so statistically no, I’m not, because I think Harry Kane and Mbappe have got more goals than me, and that’s where reality is, so no.”
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