FULL LIST: Top 25 World Cup all-time leading scorers
June 17, 2026 10:43 am
Lione Messi. Photo: Getty Images
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
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
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
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 Rummenigge (West Germany) – 9 goals
World Cups: 3 (1978, 1982, 1986), in 19 matches
22. Uwe Seeler (West Germany) – 9 goals
World Cups: 4 (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970), in 21 matches
23. Vavá (Brazil) – 9 goals
World Cups: 2 (1958, 1962), in 10 matches
24. Christian Vieri (Italy) – 9 goals
World Cups: 2 (1998, 2002), in 9 matches
25. David Villa (Spain) – 9 goals
World Cups: 3 (2006, 2010, 2014), in 12 matches
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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