Should Argentina make another deep run in North America, Messi would have a realistic opportunity to become the most prolific scorer in World Cup history. (Photo by Juan Mabromata / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: The FIFA World Cup 2026 is already guaranteed to be unlike any previous edition of football’s biggest tournament.
With a record 48 participating teams, 104 matches, three host nations and an expanded knockout stage, the tournament will rewrite several chapters of World Cup history.
Yet beyond the structural changes and record-breaking numbers, another historic milestone could be within reach: the possibility of witnessing a new all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
For nearly 12 years, former German striker Miroslav Klose has held the record as the highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
Klose surpassed Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário during the 2014 World Cup and has remained alone at the summit ever since.
However, as the world prepares for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, two active superstars remain within striking distance of the Germans’ record: Argentina captain Lionel Messi and France forward Kylian Mbappé.
Having already completed football’s ultimate achievement by lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar 2022, Messi could have another piece of history within reach in 2026.
The Argentine legend has scored 13 World Cup goals across five tournaments, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, leaving him just three goals behind Klose’s all-time record.
Messi’s World Cup goals have come against Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria (four goals), Australia (two goals), Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Croatia, and France.
Should Argentina make another deep run in North America, Messi would have a realistic opportunity to become the most prolific scorer in World Cup history.
While Messi enters the tournament as one of football’s greatest veterans, Mbappé arrives as perhaps the biggest threat to Klose’s record.
The French star has already scored 12 World Cup goals despite appearing in only two tournaments, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
His goals have come against Peru, Argentina (two), Australia, Denmark, Poland (three), France’s opponents in the 2022 final, Argentina (three goals), and Croatia.
At just 27 years old during the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé could potentially surpass not only Messi and Klose but also establish a record that may stand for decades.
