Golden Boot race: Messi, Mbappe and the final twist of World Cup 2026

The 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race reaches its final twist as Spain and Argentina prepare for the last match of the tournament. FIFA's official top-scorer page remains the reference point for the live race. The award looks simple because goals come first, but ties can require assists and minutes played as deciding criteria. That means one goal or assist in the final can change the final ranking. Messi remains the active player with the clearest chance to alter the race because Argentina still have a match to play. Mbappe and other contenders depend on what happens in the final and on FIFA's official statistical table. This article avoids freezing numbers that can change during the match. Its purpose is to explain why the Golden Boot remains part of the final's search traffic and why fans should check FIFA for the definitive table.