Messi and David share early 2026 World Cup Golden Boot lead

Lionel Messi and Jonathan David have opened a joint lead in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race after each scoring three goals in the opening matches. The Argentine captain netted a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, a result that drew him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on the list of the competition's all-time leading scorers. Jonathan David matched Messi's tally with a hat-trick of his own in Canada's match against Qatar, pulling the Canadian forward level at the top of the scoring chart. A group of seven players sits one goal behind the leaders on two strikes apiece, including Folarin Balogun, Kai Havertz, Yasin El-Ayari, Elijah Just, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane. The Golden Boot is awarded to the tournament's top scorer, with ties resolved first by assists and then by minutes played under International Football Association rules. The competition has only just begun, and further group-stage matches are expected to reshape the standings.