World Cup All-Time Top Scorers
The list of World Cup all-time top scorers contains some of the greatest forward players ever to grace international football.
Germany are well represented in the top 10 list, while Brazilian stars have also historically fared well in the scoring stakes. Read on as we take a closer look.
All-Time World Cup Top Scorers
The top 10 list of players with the most goals at World Cup tournaments is as follows:
1. Kylian Mbappe (France) – 22 goals in 22 appearances
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 21 goals in 34 appearances
3. Miroslav Klose (Germany): 16 goals in 24 appearances
4. Ronaldo (Brazil): 15 goals in 19 appearances
5= Gerd Muller (West Germany): 14 goals in 13 appearances
5= Harry Kane (England): 14 goals in 18 appearances.
7. Just Fontaine (France): 13 goals in 6 appearances
8. Pele (Brazil): 12 goals in 14 appearances
9= Sandor Kocsis (Hungary): 11 goals in 5 appearances
9= Jurgen Klinsmann (West Germany/Germany): 11 goals in 17 appearances
9= Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 11 goals in 27 appearances
World Cup All-Time Top Scorers – Top Player Profiles
Kylian Mbappe – France
Mbappe finished as the joint second-highest goalscorer as France won the tournament in 2018, and followed up with another eight goals four years later.
His tally in 2022 was not enough to help Les Bleus retain the title, with Argentina emerging victorious after a penalty shoot-out in the final.
The Frenchman added another ten goals to his total in 2026.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Messi’s record at the World Cup was underwhelming heading into Qatar 2022, but he set the record straight by leading Argentina to their third title.
He bagged seven goals in seven appearances to strengthen his case to be regarded as the greatest player of all-time.
Messi was in fine form during the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals to help Argentina reach the final.
Miroslav Klose – Germany
Klose featured in four World Cup tournaments for Germany between 2002 and 2014, setting a record by becoming the first player to appear in four consecutive Cup semi-finals.
He scored his record-equalling 15th goal in a group game against Ghana in 2014, before setting a new mark with a goal against Brazil in the semi-finals.
Klose started the final against Argentina but was substituted in the 88th minute. Germany scored in extra time to clinch the trophy and give Klose his first winners’ medal.
Ronaldo – Brazil
Ronaldo was part of four Brazil World Cup squads from 1994 to 2006, although he only played in the final three tournaments.
His infamous health scare ahead of the 1998 final sparked a massive controversy, but he bounced back in style to help Brazil win their fifth World Cup title in 2002.
Ronaldo was a shadow of his former self at the 2006 tournament, but is still rightly remembered as one of the greatest players in World Cup history.
Gerd Muller – West Germany
Muller scored 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany and was the country’s all-time leading scorer for almost 40 years until Klose overtook him in 2014.
He bagged ten goals in the 1970 World Cup and followed up with another four as Germany claimed the trophy four years later.
Muller scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in 1974, but quit international football following a row with the German Football Association at the post-tournament celebration.
Harry Kane – England
England’s all-time leading goalscorer won the Golden Boot with six goals at Russia 2018.
Kane was not as effective in Qatar four years later, scoring just twice as England reached the quarter-finals.
The Bayern Munich striker weighed in with six goals at the 2026 tournament to help the Three Lions progress to the last four.
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