The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has delivered plenty of entertainment so far, with end-to-end action, goals galore and few dull moments.
Adding to the spectacle, many of the tournament’s biggest stars have risen to the occasion, with football’s elite making an immediate impact and helping fuel an increasingly captivating race for the Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi currently tops the Golden Boot standings after a sensational start to the tournament.
The Argentine icon has scored all five of his nation’s goals so far, helping establish himself as the favourite in the market.
According to Sky Bet, the 39-year-old is priced at 7/4 to finish as the competition’s leading scorer.
Lionel Messi is a 7/4 favourite to win the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot according to Sky Bet
Just behind him is Kylian Mbappe at 2/1. The French superstar, who was the pre-tournament favourite, has enjoyed an impressive start of his own, scoring braces in each of his opening two matches.
Should he retain the award, Mbappe would become a back-to-back World Cup Golden Boot winner.
Level with Mbappe on four goals is Norway’s Erling Haaland. The prolific striker has also found the net twice in both of his first two appearances and is currently the 6/1 third favourite to claim the accolade.
Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo complete the top five in the betting market at 8/1 and 22/1 respectively.
Both forwards have made positive starts to their campaigns, scoring twice during the group stage so far to keep themselves firmly in contention in what is shaping up to be a fascinating Golden Boot race.
- All odds are correct at the time of publication
