List of Players With Most Goals in FIFA World Cup History

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest stage in international football and people awaits every 4 years for this historic competition. Over the decades, in several editions some of the world’s greatest footballers have delivered the unforgettable performances and they have scored the crucial goals under the immense pressure.

The 2026 edition will featured around 48 teams in the expanded format, football fans all round the world one again looking who will left the greatest mark on the tournament.

Every time fans tries to remembers who is the highest goal scorer in the FIFA World Cups. So let’s revisit the list of players who have scored the most goals in the FIFA World Cup till 2026.

Who Has Scored the Most Goals in FIFA World Cup History?

The record for the most goals in the FIFA World Cup history belongs to Miroslav Klose of Germany who had scored 16 goals across the four World Cups.

Klose has surpassed the long-standing record of the Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he remains the tournament’s highest-ever goal scorer.

Top 10 FIFA World Cup Goal Scorers of All Time

List of Highest Goal Score in the FIFA World Cup

1. Lionel Messi

In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Lionel Messi has scored the 7 goals in this edition with this he became the top goals corer in the world cup history.

With this he broke the record of the German striker Miroslav Klose and become the first player to do so.

2022 World Cup Champion Lionel Messi has also scored 18 World Cup goals across six tournaments.

His biggest achievement came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he led the Argentina to victory and scored the seven goals which also includes the two in the final against France.

World Cup Goals by Messi

• 2006: 1 goal
• 2010: 0 goals
• 2014: 4 goals
• 2018: 1 goal
• 2022: 7 goals
• 2026: 7 goals*

2. Kylian Mbappé

After the 2 goals contribution against Sweden in the Round of 32 Kylian Mbappe is just one goal behind Lionel Messi. As his tally reached to 18 goal and sits at the second place in the all time highest goal scorer list in the world cup.

Kylian Mbappé also closely following the Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose in the list of highest goal scorer.

He equals with the Klose with his 4 goal contributions in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and he will be eying for the top spot of the list and giving the thight competition to Lionel Messi,

2018 World Cup Champion with France, Kylian Mbappé has already scored the 16 World Cup goals despite participating in only just two tournaments.

He scored in the 2018 final as the France won the title and he later produced a historic hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina but in loosing cause.

With his age and scoring rate with his side Mbappé is widely viewed as the strongest candidate to challenge the Klose’s all-time record.

3. Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Klose scored the unmatched 16 goals across the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups.

He remembered for his consistency and he scored in the four consecutive tournaments.

Klose broke the Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) record during the Germany’s famous 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 semi-final and later they lifted the World Cup trophy of 2014.

World Cup Goals by Klose in Each Tournament

• 2002: 5 goals
• 2006: 5 goals
• 2010: 4 goals
• 2014: 2 goals

4. Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário who is popularly known as “O Fenômeno,” has scored the 15 World Cup goals.

His greatest moment came during the 2002 FIFA World Cup edition when he won the Golden Boot with the eight goals contribution and scored twice in the final against the Germany to secure Brazil’s record fifth world title.

World Cup Goals of Ronaldo

• 1994: 0 goals
• 1998: 4 goals
• 2002: 8 goals
• 2006: 3 goals

5. Gerd Müller

German legend Gerd Müller scored around 14 goals in just 13 games of the World Cup matches.

His nicknamed is “Der Bomber,” as he possessed the extraordinary goal-scoring instincts and as remains one of football’s most efficient finishers.

His winning goal in the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final helped the West Germany to defeat the Netherlands and claim the championship.

6. Just Fontaine

Just Fontaine has also achieved one of the football’s most remarkable feats.

At the 1958 FIFA World Cup, he scored 13 goals in just single tournament and this record that still stands today.

His achievement is considered as one of the most difficult records to break in the international football.

7. Brazilian Legend Pelé

Pelé remains as one of the greatest footballers ever in the history of the game.

He scored the 12 World Cup goals and is the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970).

His performances transformed the Brazil into the global football powerhouse.

8. Harry Kane

England captain Harry Kane, Golden Boot winner of the 2018 FIFA World Cup has already scored 12 goals in the tournament.

His match winning contributions against the DR Congo took him to the 8th spot in the highest goal scorer tally in world cup.

In 2026 edition he already scored five goals and helped England to qualify for the Round of 16.

9. Jürgen Klinsmann

Jürgen Klinsmann has scored the 11 World Cup goals across three tournaments.

He became the first player to score at least three goals in the three each World Cups and showcased the remarkable consistency.

10. Sándor Kocsis

Sándor Kocsis has also scored the 11 goals in only five matches during the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

His incredible goal ratio of the 2.20 goals per game remains as the highest among players on this list.

He was the key member of Hungary’s legendary “Magical Magyars” team.