World Cup 2026: Messi leads the top scorer list ahead of Haaland and Havertz

After the first match day

This is what the World Cup top scorers list looks like

The first matchday of the 2026 World Cup is over. Some favorites dropped points, but several stars still delivered.

Three goals in the first game: Lionel Messi has taken place at the start of the World Cup 2026 placed straight into first place on the top scorer list. No other player was as accurate as the Argentine on the first day of the match. While numerous encounters ended without a winner and highlights were a long time coming, Messi made the difference – with a hat-trick.

The star player is not only setting himself up in the current season WM from all the competition. With his three goals in the game against Algerian national team He also climbed up the all-time World Cup top scorers list. The result: Lionel Messi now shares first place with the former German international Miroslav Klose. Both currently have 16 goals to their name. In the coming World Cup matchdays, the Argentine has the chance to finally overtake Klose.

However, Messi could still easily challenge Messi for first place in the list of 2026 World Cup top scorers. Because behind him there is a larger chasing group that scores two hits each. Several well-known attackers consistently took advantage of their chances and claimed early goals in the top scorer rankings.

The persecutors include, among others Erling Haaland for Norway, Kai Havertz for Germany, Kylian Mbappé for France and Harry Kane for England. Four players from four different nations – all with two goals after just one game. Havertz’s strong performance is a positive signal, especially for the German team.

The international mix at the top is striking. From South America to Europe to Oceania, several nations are represented. This shows that the goal threat at this World Cup is spread widely and is not just limited to a few teams.