FIFA World Cup all-time top scorers, countries, number of goals

Lionel Messi, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Pelé, Gerd Muller and Just Fontaine among the many greats present.

Lionel Messi no. 10 of Argentina scores a goal later disallowed due to offside during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City,

Lionel Messi has overtaken Miroslav Klose and is top of the overall World Cup scoring charts

Kylian Mbappe has returned to the German’s level after two matches of the 2026 World Cup.

The great Brazilian Ronaldo is fourth, one goal behind Mbappe and Klose
Since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has brought together the world’s greatest players to celebrate the beautiful game.

Prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Miroslav Klose topped the overall scoring charts, but Lionel Messi has now overtaken him into top spot after a hat-trick – his first in the World Cup – in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria, before finding the net again twice in the win against Austria, with a further goal in Argentina’s final group match against Jordan.

And the former Germany international now has another active player for company, with Kylian Mbappe continuing his astonishing exploits in the World Cup final with his back-to-back braces against Senegal and Iraq giving him 16 goals.

Here, FIFA lists the leading shooters in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi – Argentina

Goals: 19

World Cups: six – 2006 (one goal), 2010 (no goals), 2014 (four goals), 2018 (one goal), 2022 (seven goals), 2026 (six goals to date)
Games played: 29

Kylian Mbappe – France

Goals: 16
World Cups: three – 2018 (four goals), 2022 (eight goals), 2026 (four goals to date)
Games played: 17

Miroslav Klose – Germany

Goals: 16

World Cups: four – 2002 (five goals), 2006 (five goals), 2010 (four goals), 2014 (two goals)

Ronaldo-Brazil

Goals: 15

World Cups: four – 1994 (no goals), 1998 (four goals), 2002 (eight goals), 2006 (three goals)
Games played: 19

Gerd Muller – West Germany

Goals: 14

World Cups: two – 1970 (10 goals), 1974 (four goals)
Games played: 13

Just Fontaine – France
Goals: 13
World Cups: one – 1958
Games played: six

Pele – Brazil

Objectives: 12

World Cups: four – 1958 (six goals), 1962 (one goal), 1966 (one goal), 1970 (four goals)
Games played: 14

Harry Kane

Objectives: 11
World Cups: three – 2018 (six goals), 2022 (two goals), 2026 (three goals to date)
Games played: 14

Jurgen Klinsmann – West Germany / Germany

Objectives: 11
World Cups: three – 1990 (three goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (three goals)
Games played: 17

Sandor Kocsis – Hungary
Sandor Kocsis Hungary World Cup 1954
Objectives: 11
World Cups: one – 1954
Games played: five

Gabriel Batistuta – Argentina

Objectives: 10
World Cups: three – 1994 (four goals), 1998 (five goals), 2002 (one goal)
Games played: 12

Cristiano Ronaldo-Portugal

Objectives: 10
World Cups: six – 2006 (one goal), 2010 (one goal), 2014 (one goal), 2018 (four goals), 2022 (one goal), 2026 (two goals to date)
Games played: 25

Teofilo Cubillas – Peru

Objectives: 10
World Cups: three – 1970 (five goals), 1978 (five goals), 1982 (no goals)
Games played: 13

Grzegorz Lato – Poland

Objectives: 10
World Cups: three – 1974 (seven goals), 1978 (two goals), 1982 (one goal)
Games played: 20

Gary Lineker – England

Objectives: 10
World Cups: two – 1986 (six goals), 1990 (four goals)
Games played: 12

Thomas Muller – Germany

Objectives: 10
World Cups: four – 2010 (five goals), 2014 (five goals), 2018 (no goals), 2022 (no goals)
Games played: 19

Helmut Rahn – West Germany
Helmut Rahn World Cup West Germany 1958

Objectives: 10
World Cups: two – 1954 (four goals), 1958 (six goals)
Games played: 10

Ademir – Brazil

Objectives: 9
World Cups: one – 1950
Games played: six

Roberto Baggio – Italy

Objectives: 9
World Cups: three – 1990 (two goals), 1994 (five goals), 1998 (two goals)
Games played: 16

Eusebio – Portugal

Objectives: 9
World Cups: one – 1966
Games played: six

Jairzinho – Brazil

1970 World Cup Final, Azteca Stadium, Mexico, 21 June 1970, Brazil 4 v Italy 1, Brazilian Jairzinho celebrates after putting the ball in the net for his team’s third goal, making him the first player to score a goal in every match.

Vava – Brazil

Objectives: 9
World Cups: two – 1958 (five goals), 1962 (four goals)
Games played: 10

Cristiano Vieri – Italy

Objectives: 9
World Cups: two – 1998 (five goals), 2002 (four goals)
Games played: nine

David Villa – Spain

Objectives: 9
World Cups: three – 2006 (three goals), 2010 (five goals), 2014 (one goal)
Games played: 12

Courtesy of FIFA