FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Odds, Favorites & Predictions For 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially here! For the next month, the best soccer teams in the world will battle it out for a chance at glory. We also get to see some of the most prolific and top World Cup goal scorers in the sport on full display. That brings us to the World Cup Golden Boot odds. 

The Golden Boot is awarded to the top goal scorer in the World Cup at the tournament’s conclusion. In this article, we’ll break down the World Cup Golden Boot odds and all of the notable players to know. Check out these Golden Boot predictions as we try to forecast the top World Cup goal scorers. As the tournament progresses, this article and the World Cup Golden Boot odds will be updated as well. 

Favorites To Win The World Cup Golden Boot

The top tier of the World Cup Golden Boot odds is filled with some of the best players in the world. Let’s examine the top World Cup goal scorers before we get to some Golden Boot predictions. The odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and accurate as of June 9th. 

Kylian Mbappe (France): +600

France’s best player already enters as one of the most prolific and top World Cup goal scorers in the tournament’s history. Kylian Mbappe has 12 goals across his 14 career World Cup matches. That’s tied with Brazil legend Pelé for the fourth-most all-time. France is expected to go deep yet again, and Mbappe will surely be involved in plenty of scoring. Notably, he was the Golden Boot winner in 2022. 

Harry Kane (England): +700

Harry Kane also comes in as one of the more proven and top World Cup goal scorers among active players. He’s scored 8 times in 11 World Cup matches, which is tied for the third-most among current footballers with Cristiano Ronaldo. As England’s striker and penalty-kick taker, Kane is involved in the majority of the goal-scoring chances. If the Three Lions can make a deep run, their captain can challenge for the World Cup Golden Boot, just like when he took it home in 2018. 

Erling Haaland (Norway): +1400 

Norway’s striker is widely regarded as the most dangerous and best goalscorer in the sport. Erling Haaland led the Premier League with 27 goals for Manchester City this past season. He also scored 8 more times in 10 Champions League matches. The only question is whether Norway can advance past the group stage and/or play deep enough for Haaland to rack up the tournament’s most goals in the end. 

Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain): +1400

Spain is currently the betting favorite to win the World Cup, barely edging out France. With that in mind, its top goal scorer should be considered among the favorites for the Golden Boot. That’s expected to be Mikel Oyarzabal, who will play the striker role for Spain more often than not. He’s their top forward and has scored 6 times in 6 World Cup qualifying matches. 

Best Longshot Golden Boot Picks

Let’s now dish out some Golden Boot predictions for some under-the-radar players. Further down the World Cup Golden Boot odds, there are multiple value options to consider betting on. These are players who should be among the top World Cup goal scorers and challenge for the Golden Boot when it’s all said and done. 

Julian Alvarez (Argentina): +3000

Lionel Messi is the obvious headliner for Argentina’s attack, and he should be involved in plenty of goal-scoring chances. However, opposing defenses will likely try to hound him and limit the GOAT’s scoring prowess. Messi has also proven he’s more than willing and capable of setting teammates up with crafty and elite passing. That brings us to Julian Alvarez, who tied for third in goals scored in the 2022 World Cup. He’s worth a shot while playing in Argentina’s striker role, especially with his squad expected to make a deep run. 

Igor Thiago (Brazil): +5000

Brazil has the fifth-shortest odds to win the World Cup as one of the top contenders in the tournament. The squad features many talented goal scorers, headlined by Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. One name to consider, though, is Igor Thiago. He’ll likely start at striker or come on as a second-half super sub. Either way, Thiago will be on the pitch to score goals as a top target on crosses and feeds from Vini or Raphinha. 

Players With The Most Goals So Far

Now that we’ve broken down the World Cup Golden Boot odds, let’s start tracking the top World Cup goal scorers. This section will be updated throughout the tournament as we keep an eye on our Golden Boot predictions. 

For reference, here’s a list of the top World Cup goal scorers of all time among active players. Some of these names headline the World Cup Golden Boot odds: 

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 13 goals
2. Kylian Mbappe (France) – 12
3. Harry Kane (England) – 8
4. Neymar (Brazil) – 8

World Cup Teams Creating The Most Chances

As you consider the World Cup Golden Boot odds, it’s important to know which teams are creating the most scoring chances. Players on these teams will, in turn, be among the top World Cup goal scorers during the tournament. This section will be updated throughout the World Cup as we eventually crown a Golden Boot winner. 

For reference, here are the teams with the most shots on goal in the 2022 World Cup: 

1. Argentina – 49
2. Brazil – 44
3. France – 36
4. England – 28
5. Croatia – 27
6. Portugal – 26
7. Germany – 25

Golden Boot Predictions And Best Values 

Now that we’ve broken down all of the important World Cup Golden Boot odds, let’s go a step further. It’s time to make some Golden Boot predictions as we try to pinpoint the top World Cup goal scorers. We’ll dish out a top bet to make and the best value as well. 

Top Pick: Kylian Mbappe (France): +600

The safest and most trustworthy pick in the World Cup Golden Boot odds remains Kylian Mbappe. France’s star brings in elite finishing ability and plenty of World Cup experience. As noted above, he’s already racked up 12 goals in 14 career World Cup matches. If we combine his skill with the likelihood that France advances deep into the tournament, then Mbappe has an excellent shot at being the Golden Boot winner for the second straight World Cup. 

Best Value: Julian Alvarez (Argentina): +3000

If you’re looking for some value, Julian Alvarez is a nice longshot option in the World Cup Golden Boot odds. We all want Lionel Messi to score every goal for Argentina, but Alvarez will be involved plenty in the striker spot. That was evident in the 2022 World Cup as he was the team’s second-best goal scorer, behind Messi. His role and scoring prowess can expand in this year’s tournament, providing plenty of value.