Lionel Messi has already made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Kylian Mbappé is on his heels.
The France star has already broken the federation’s record for the most international goals scored, and he’s within striking distance of Messi’s ever-increasing record for the most goals scored ever at the World Cup.
Will Mbappé catch Messi before the World Cup is over? Follow along as we track Mbappé’s road to potentially catching up to Messi:
Mbappé At 2026 World Cup: 4 Goals
France vs. Iraq
Mbappé moved into third place for the most goals scored by a men’s player at the FIFA World Cup after scoring two goals against Iraq on Tuesday. He scored his first goal of the day in the 14th minute, making a strong, left-footed shot from outside the box for his 15th career World Cup goal.
Then, after a two-hour-long rain delay, Mbappé scored his 16th career World Cup goal thanks to a mistake by Iraq. The French star was able to go one-on-one with Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil after he turned the ball over in his own penalty box. The goal moved Mbappé back to just two goals behind Lionel Messi for the most goals scored ever in the World Cup. Mbappé’s second goal of the day also helped him break a tie with former Brazil star Ronaldo for the third-most goals scored by a men’s player in the World Cup, while he trails former Germany star Miroslav Klose by one goal for the second-most among men’s players.
France vs. Senegal
Mbappé became France’s all-time leading goalscorer with his second goal of the tournament and his 58th for France. Olivier Giroud, who retired from France’s national team following Euro 2024, was previously France’s all-time leading goalscorer, scoring his 57th goal in March 2024 at the age of 37.
Mbappé also eclipsed France legend Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi to Gerd Müller for the third-most goals in World Cup history with 14.
France World Cup Schedule
- June 16, 2026: France 3–1 Senegal – New York New Jersey Stadium
- June 22, 2026: Watch France vs Iraq – Philadelphia Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT)
- June 26, 2026: Watch Norway vs France – Boston Stadium (3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT)
FIFA Males’s World Cup All-Time Prime Goalscorers
Sitting tied for fourth place in all-time World Cup targets, Mbappé is chasing some respectable legends. On the prime of the heap is Argentina’s Lionel Messi, whose memorable hat trick tied him with Germany legend Miroslav Klose.
Messi, who received the World Cup in 2022, is in his sixth match look, whereas Klose helped Germany win it in 2014 along with his fourth and last look on the match.
Lionel Messi is tied for probably the most targets at a males’s World Cup.
T1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) — 16 targets
T1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 16 targets
3. Ronaldo (Brazil) — 15 targets
T4. Gerd Müller (Germany) — 14 targets
T4. Kylian Mbappé (France) — 14 targets
5. Simply Fontaine (France) — 13 targets
6. Pelé (Brazil) — 12 targets
Mbappé At 2022 World Cup: 8 Targets
(Picture by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside by way of Getty Photographs)
On the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mbappé had a exceptional match, scoring eight targets to win the Golden Boot. His match included a historic hat-trick within the last towards Argentina, making him the primary participant to attain three targets in a World Cup last since 1966. Nonetheless, Mbappé and France got here up quick towards Argentina, dropping on penalties.
Mbappé At 2018 World Cup: 4 Targets
(Picture by Matthias Hangst/Getty Photographs)
On the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mbappé broke onto the worldwide scene, scoring 4 targets as a 19-year-old and enjoying a key position in France’s championship run. Throughout that marketing campaign, he grew to become solely the second teenager to attain in a World Cup last when he discovered the web in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in 2018.
