FULL LIST: Top 25 World Cup all-time leading scorers

The FIFA World Cup has produced some of football’s greatest goalscorers since its inception in 1930, with legends from across generations featuring on the all-time scoring chart. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Germany’s Miroslav Klose now share the top spot following Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J opener in Kansas City on Wednesday. Below is the official list of the leading scorers in World Cup history as provided by FIFA on Wednesday. FULL LIST: FIFA World Cup all-time leading scorers 1. Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals World Cups: 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014), in 24 matches Miroslav Klose scored 16 World Cup goals in 23 games for the German national team. Credit…European Pressphoto Agency via New York Times 2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16 goals World Cups: 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), in 27 matches 3. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 15 goals World Cups: 4 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006), in 19 matches 4. Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14 goals World Cups: 2 (1970, 1974), in 13 matches 5. Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 goals World Cups: 3 (2018, 2022, 2026), in 15 matches Kylian Mbappé. Credit: AP 6. Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals World Cups: 1 (1958), in 6 matches 7. Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals World Cups: 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970), in 14 matches 8. Jürgen Klinsmann (West Germany/Germany) – 11 goals World Cups: 3 (1990, 1994, 1998), in 17 matches 9. Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11 goals World Cups: 1 (1954), in 5 matches 10. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) – 10 goals World Cups: 3 (1994, 1998, 2002), in 12 matches 11. Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) – 10 goals World Cups: 3 (1970, 1978, 1982), in 13 matches Related News Bernardo Silva signs two-year deal with Real Madrid FULL LIST: World Cup records Messi holds, still chasing Why I cried after first goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria — Messi 12. Grzegorz Lato (Poland) – 10 goals World Cups: 3 (1974, 1978, 1982), in 20 matches 13. Gary Lineker (England) – 10 goals World Cups: 2 (1986, 1990), in 12 matches 14. Thomas Müller (Germany) – 10 goals World Cups: 4 (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), in 19 matches 15. Helmut Rahn (West Germany) – 10 goals World Cups: 2 (1954, 1958), in 10 matches 16. Ademir de Menezes (Brazil) – 9 goals World Cups: 1 (1950), in 6 matches 17. Roberto Baggio (Italy) – 9 goals World Cups: 3 (1990, 1994, 1998), in 16 matches 18. Eusébio (Portugal) – 9 goals World Cups: 1 (1966), in 6 matches 19. Jairzinho (Brazil) – 9 goals World Cups: 3 (1966, 1970, 1974), in 16 matches 20. Paolo Rossi (Italy) – 9 goals World Cups: 2 (1978, 1982), in 14 matches 21. Karl-Heinz Rumme