What happens if Messi and Mbappe finish tied for the 2026 Golden Boot World Cup?

Lionel Messi again Kylian Mbappe they are the top two in search 2026 World Cup The Golden Boot, with one final game for both players to get their names on the score sheet. However, since these two stars are currently tied for the top spot, questions arise as to how the tie will be broken if the tournament ends with a draw.
Meanwhile, Messi and Mbappe he remained at the top of the goalscoring list of this tournament, while also climbing the list of World Cup goalscorers. In this competition, both leading players have scored 8 goalswhich took Messi’s World Cup tally to 21 goals and Mbappé’s to 20, putting them in very special historical company.
Although Messi will play against Argentina in the match World Cup in the final against Spain, Mbappe has the last chance to increase his number. After losing the semi-final, France will face England (lost in the other semi-final) in the third-place play-off, ie. both stars have one game left to play.
Golden Boot termination conditions
With both of them scoreless in the semi-finals, Messi and Mbappe remain stuck on eight goals, leaving the possibility of them going scoreless in their final game. If they stay tied up at the end of the weekend, FIFA will turn to its official infringement rules to decide who won the golden boot.
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal.
The prize goes to the player with the most goals in the tournament, but if two or more players finish the level, tiebreakers are used in the following order:
- If two or more players score the same number of goals, number of assistants (as determined by members of the FIFA Technical Study Group) it will be a decision.
- If two or more players are still tied after taking into account the number of assists, every minute played in this tournament will be taken into accountand the player who plays the fewest minutes is ranked first.
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Currently, Messi held the chance to win with four assists compared to Mbappe’s three. However, if the French forward registers one assist in his last game and Messi does not, the game will go to full time, with Mbappe holding the edge with 609 minutes played compared to Messi’s 620.
Can another player snatch the Golden Boot?
Currently, Norway’s Erling Haaland is the closest follower with seven goalsalthough he cannot add to his tally as Norway has already been eliminated. However, there are still active players in this tournament who may advance to the leaders.
England striker Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are both tied for fourth place with six goals and one assist.. Although facing a tough French defense makes it a difficult task, a high-scoring performance by either player in the third-place match, combined with Messi and Bappé’s last scoreless outing, could disrupt the race for the Golden Boot in the end.
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