The race is well and truly on for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot with some superstar names in the running.The prize recognises individual excellence on football’s biggest international stage, tracking goals scored throughout the tournament.Kylian Mbappe could not get his hands on the World Cup trophy last year, but he did secure the Golden BootGettyFIFA rebranded the accolade from the Golden Shoe to the Golden Boot in the 2010 edition and that’s not the only change it’s undergone.In 1994, a tiebreaker system was introduced, taking assists into account if players finished level on the same number of successful strikes.Meanwhile, in 2006 it was implemented that if players cannot be separated via goals or assists, the award is handed to the individual with the fewest minutes on the pitch.After the name change, Thomas Muller was the first recipient, scoring five times with third place Germany in South Africa.James Rodriguez announced himself to the world in Brazil with the Colombian securing the 2014 gong.The second Englishman after Gary Lineker to win the award was Harry Kane as he captained the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final in Russia 2018.Most recently, France’s Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Argentina in the 2022 showpiece, scoring eight goals at the tournament overall.So who is going to be the recipient after the final whistle blows in New Jersey as things stand?Kane will hope to climb the Golden Boot standings this summerGettyCurrent standings6= 13 playersDeniz Undav, Germany – 3 goals, 2 assistsIsmael Saibari, Morocco – 3 goals, 1 assistJohan Manzambi, Switzerland – 3 goals, 1 assistJulian Quinones, Mexico – 3 goals, 1 assistCody Gakpo, Netherlands – 3 goals, 1 assistMatheus Cunha, Brazil – 3 goals, 0 assistsJonathan David, Canada – 3 goals, 0 assistsBrian Brobbey, Netherlands – 3 goals, 0 assistsElijah Just, New Zealand – 3 goals, 0 assistsIsmaïla Sarr, Senegal – 3 goals, 0 assistsHarry Kane, England – 3 goals, 0 assistsYoane Wissa, DR Congo – 3 goals, 0 assistsKai Havertz, Germany – 3 goals, 0 assists4= Vinicius Jr (Brazil)Goals: 4 Assists: 1The Real Madrid man scored in all three of Brazil’s group games at the 2026 World Cup.A goal against Morocco, a goal and assist against Haiti and two strikes in their win over Scotland has the Golden Boot firmly in his sights.He drew a blank against Japan in the Round of 32 but will be looking to get on the scoresheet again when Brazil face Norway next.4= Ousmane Dembele (France)Goals: 4 Assists: 2Dembele helped himself to a goal in France’s easy win over Iraq before stealing the show against Norway in their final group game.The Paris Saint-Germain star netted a brilliant first-half hat-trick in Boston to leap into Golden Boot consideration.The 29-year-old, who has 11 goals in 63 French caps, claimed an assists against Sweden and will now be eyeing another goal in the last 16 against Paraguay.Haaland has scored four goals in two World Cup appearancesGetty3. Erling Haaland (Norway)Goals: 5Assists: 0 Haaland is already Norway‘s all-time top goalscorer and wasted no time proving that on the international stage by netting twice in the first half of their opener against Iraq.He followed that up with another brace in their second group game as Norway beat Senegal 3-2.Haaland was rested for Norway’s final group game against France but found the net again with the winner in their Round of 32 clash against Ivory Coast.Haaland has now scored in 13 successive competitive internationals for Norway and will now hope to star against Brazil next.Mbappe sprung to life in the second half as France beat SenegalGetty1= Kylian MbappeGoals: 6 Assists: 2Mbappe won the World Cup at 19, then followed it up as the tournament’s top scorer four years later as France ended up as runners-up in Qatar.While having some heat on himself at Real Madrid, the 27-year-old still secured 42 goals in 44 appearances for the Spanish giants.He kicked off the tournament scoring a clinical brace against Senegal, a feat that officially saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading marksman, and added another two against Iraq.He turned provider against Norway, setting up two of Dembele’s goals and then stole the show against Sweden, firing home two stunners.1= Lionel Messi (Argentina)Goals: 6Assists: 0Messi narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot last time at the competition despite winning the big prize.Argentina’s team is still built around the 38-year-old, and he repaid the unwavering faith shown in him by scoring a hat-trick in their opening fixture, a 3-0 win over Algeria.The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner moved passed Miroslav Klose for the all-time record with two goals against Austria in the second game.Argentina faced Jordan in their last group and, wouldn’t you know it, he bagged a free-kick after coming off the bench.Messi will likely have a great chance to add to his tally in the Round of 32 when La Albiceleste face minnows Cape Verde.Messi is now the all-time World Cup record goalscorerGettyCheck out all the latest World Cup Golden Boot odds with talkSPORT BET