With the 2026 World Cup in full swing, there are several current stars who could usurp the legends of the game and write their names in history over the next month.
Who has the most goals in World Cup history? And will players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé or Cristiano Ronaldo climb the list at this World Cup?
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Here are the highest-scoring players in the history of FIFA’s quadrennial global tournament.
Germany‘s Jurgen Klinsmann finished his World Cup career with 11 goals. (Photo by BORIS HORVAT / AFP via Getty Images)
(BORIS HORVAT via Getty Images)
No. 8 (tied): Jürgen Klinsmann, Germany (11)
Klinsmann is probably better known now as a former U.S. and Germany manager, but in his heyday, the forward was a scoring menace. He tallied 11 goals across three World Cups, including in 1990 when Germany won the tournament.
Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis scored his 11 World Cup goals at the 1954 tournament. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
(- via Getty Images)
No. 8 (tied): Sándor Kocsis, Hungary (11)
Kocsis had a national team record of seven hat tricks for Hungary and scored all 11 of his World Cup goals at the 1954 tournament. He had two hat tricks in that World Cup but the Hungarians fell in the final against West Germany.
Brazil‘s Pelé won two World Cups and finished with 12 goals at the competition. (Photo by STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)
(STAFF via Getty Images)
No. 7: Pelé, Brazil (12)
While many consider him the GOAT, the Brazilian legend needs no introduction. He made his debut at the 1958 World Cup and delivered six goals as a 17-year-old while Brazil won it all. He only played in four matches total over the following two World Cups, but Brazil won it all again in 1962. To cap off his career, he led his country to another title at the 1970 World Cup for a total of 12 goals.
France‘s Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at a single World Cup in 1958. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
(Keystone-France via Getty Images)
No. 6: Just Fontaine, France (13)
France striker Just Fontaine stands alone in history in terms of goals at a single World Cup. He scored an astonishing 13 goals in six games at Sweden 1958 – a record for one World Cup. ‘Justo’ had a hat trick, two braces, a game-winner, a goal against champion Brazil and a four-goal outing in the third-place playoff game.
West Germany’s Gerd Müller ended his World Cup career with 14 goals. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
(STAFF via Getty Images)
No. 4 (tied): Gerd Müller, West Germany (14)
Müller is another player whose efficiency has stood the test of time. He only played in two World Cups (1970 and 1974), but delivered 10 goals to win the Golden Boot in the former and added another four goals in his second and final tournament, which West Germany won.
France’s Kylian Mbappe has 14 goals in three World Cups. (Rob Newell/Getty Images)
(Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
No. 4 (tied): Kylian Mbappé, France (14)
The French sparkplug has rapidly ascended this list and is expected to chase Lionel Messi at the top of it. He’s only 27 years old and has 14 goals in 15 World Cup games. He had four in his debut at the 2018 World Cup when France won it all, eight in 2022 when France lost to Argentina in the title game, and he just started off his 2026 campaign with a brace against Senegal.
Brazil’s Ronaldo finished his international career with 15 World Cup goals. (AFP/Antonio Scorza)
(ANTONIO SCORZA via Getty Images)
No. 3: Ronaldo, Brazil (15)
Another Brazilian legend, Ronaldo made the World Cup-winning 1994 team but didn’t see any action. Over the next three tournaments though, Ronaldo went on a tear, scoring four goals in 1998, eight in 2002 when Brazil won it all, and then he tacked on another three at his final World Cup in 2006.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in his country’s opener and is now tied at No. 1 in all-time World Cup goals. (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
(picture alliance via Getty Images)
No. 1 (tied): Lionel Messi, Argentina (16)
The Argentinian is simply adding to his legacy with every dart through an opposing defense. He shredded Algeria for his first World Cup hat trick on Tuesday, and will assuredly assume the top spot on this list at some point this tournament. This is Messi’s sixth World Cup as he looks to follow up the 2022 tournament where he scored seven goals and led Argentina to the title.
Germany’s Miroslav Klose finished his international career with 16 World Cup goals.
(Adam Davy – EMPICS via Getty Images)
No. 1 (tied): Miroslav Klose, Germany (16)
The name that’s been mentioned a lot as Messi and Mbappé pursue history, Klose was best known as a relentless poacher who never missed an opportunity in front of the net. The striker had five goals each in 2002 and 2006. Then he added another four in 2010 and capped off his international career with two more at the 2014 World Cup as Germany hoisted the trophy.
