Most goals in one World Cup: How Messi, Mbappe's pace in 2026 compares to all-time scoring records

What Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have done for soccer is nothing short of incredible. The goal-scoring abilities the two have are a gift for fans to watch, and not to ruin the recent moments, but it's been done before and even bested.

The all-time goal-scoring record at a World Cup is 13, set by Just Fontaine in 1958. While two other players have gone above the double-digit goal threshold, it hasn't been done since 1970.

Mbappe's (eight) and Messi's (seven) highest-scoring tournaments thus far have given fans a treat to watch in front of their eyes, but both are still vying to inch closer to Fontaine's mark.

Here's how Messi and Mbappe stack up against the World Cup's highest-scoring showings.

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What is the most goals in a single World Cup?

The current record for the most goals in a single World Cup was set by Just Fontaine with 13. During the 1958 World Cup, Fontaine broke Sandor Kocsis' record of 11, which was set in the tournament prior. West Germany's Gerd Muller came close to breaking the Hungarian's second-best spot on the table, but fell one goal short in 1970 with 10 goals.

Since Muller, the closest a player has gotten to eclipsing Kocsis came in 2022. During the World Cup in Qatar, Mbappe scored a hat trick during the final match that skyrocketed his goal tally to seven during the tournament. Despite one of the greatest final match performances in World Cup history, Mbappe's France fell short to Messi's Argentina in a penalty shootout.

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World Cup single tournament goal record

While many current soccer fans may not have heard of Fontaine's 1958 World Cup, his individual tournament was an all-timer that still stands today in terms of goals. In 2026, the record has stood for 68 years, and only one player has risen above the double-digit mark since Fontaine. 

Here is highlights of Fontaine's 1958 World Cup in Sweden:

Most goals in a World Cup by player

Fontaine's 13-goal tournament in 1958 still stands alone as the highest-scoring individual tournament. Here are the players who have had the highest-scoring single World Cup tournaments:

MORE: Where Messi's World Cup career goal total ranks on the all-time list

Most goals in 2026 World Cup

After Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria, Messi topped the charts for the top scorers at the 2026 World Cup. Here are the top five scorers at this year's competition as of June 22:

Most goals in a World Cup, by team

Here are the countries that have had the highest-scoring World Cups in a single tournament. Since the new millennium, only two teams have cracked this list.

Top goal-scorers for every 2026 World Cup team

Goals and caps correct as of June 22, 2026.

*Denotes playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Most team goals in World Cup history

Goals correct as of June 22, 2026.