The 2026 FIFA World Cup is picking up pace as the tournament enters the knockout stages following an exhilarating round of group stage fixtures.
While it's difficult to predict the winner as some of the top favorites have impressed so far, the race for some individual honors is heating up too.
Argentina star Lionel Messi is currently the top-scorer at the World Cup with six goals as the 39-year-old is a hot pick to claim the Golden Boot trophy for most goals scored in the tournament.
He began the campaign with a sensational hat-trick against Algeria on the opening day before netting a brace against Austria on matchday two.
In their final group fixture against tournament debutants Jordan, the former Barcelona ace came off the bench to convert a wonderful free-kick and take his goalscoring tally to six already.
However, there are two former Borussia Dortmund stars who are not too far behind and could give Messi a serious challenge for the prize once again in the knockout stages.
Ousmane Dembele (France) - 4 goals
Former BVB forward Ousmane Dembele thrust himself into the Golden Boot race with a hat-trick against Norway in France's last fixture of Group I. Prior to this, he had scored just once - against Iraq the previous matchday. Having guided PSG to a second consecutive Champions League trophy, he's among the favorites for the Ballon d'Or again and is hoping to join the elite group of players who've won it consecutively. Dembele's goalscoring exploits at the World Cup hold him in good stead.
Erling Haaland (Norway) - 4 goals
Erling Haaland remained on the bench for Norway's last group match against France. Else, he might have bagged a few more. The striker is currently on four goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, courtesy of two braces against Iraq and Senegal. It's also worth noting that this is his first World Cup tournament as Norway have qualified after 28 years. Despite a heavy loss to France in their last game, the Nordic side are into the knockout stages as Group I runners-up and will come up against Ivory Coast in the Round of 32, where Haaland is expected to start as the former Dortmund ace looks to add to his growing tally.
As for the current Dortmund players, only three players have been on target so far, bagging one goal each. No player has won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot while still playing for Borussia Dortmund.
Add us as a preferred source on Google