Since its formation in 1930, the World Cup has quickly become the most-watched sporting tournament across the globe, with five billion viewers, eclipsing the Tour de France. It captures the attention of not just football fans but patriotic people who get behind their nation in the hope of achieving the extraordinary. The 2026 edition is being co-hosted by the United States of America, Mexico and Canada and already looks to be a month of drama-filled action.

As we begin to enjoy the tournament, GIVEMESPORT has taken a look at the top 10 World Cup goalscorers of all time.

10

Gabriel Batistuta – 10 goals

Argentina centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta was a prolific marksman during his career and netted ten goals for his country across three World Cups. The 78-cap international was the joint second-top scorer at the 1998 edition, netting five times in as many appearances, only one behind the Golden Boot winner, Davor Suker of Croatia. Batistuta is the only player to have scored two hat-tricks at two World Cups, having scored three apiece against Greece in 1994 and Jamaica in 1998.

After a glittering career, the towering forward retired in 2005 after netting a hatful of goals in Serie A and in his homeland. Batistuta is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and his World Cup tally only supports that notion.

9

Sandor Kocsis – 11 goals

Sandor Kocsis only played five World Cup games but remarkably netted 11 goals in that time, placing him ninth in the all-time top goal-scoring charts. The Hungary centre-forward played at the 1954 edition and netted a flurry of goals en route to the final, where his side would eventually fall to a 3-2 defeat against West Germany. Koscis scored four goals in an 8-3 victory against West Germany during the group stages and that came after a hat-trick in the opening game in a 9-0 win over South Korea.

The 68-cap international played for Barcelona in his club career and was known as ‘Golden Head’ for his heading ability. Kocsis scored 164 goals across 240 games for the Catalan giants and his tremendous contributions to the club were recognised with a tribute match against Hamburg.

8

Jurgen Klinsmann – 11 goals

Jurgen Klinsmann appeared at three World Cups for West Germany and Germany. During that time, the prolific forward racked up 11 goals and won the competition in 1990 under the stewardship of Franz Beckenbauer. Klinsmann was the joint second top scorer at the 1994 edition, netting five goals in as many appearances, finishing one behind the joint Golden Boot winners Oleg Salenko of Russia, and Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria.

The German forward retired in 2004 and has enjoyed a career on the touchline post his playing career. Klinsmann is the current manager of South Korea and is under contract until July 2026.

7

Pele – 12 goals

Photo courtesy of Reuters.

Pele is a Brazillian icon and is widely considered one of the greatest players in football history. The 92-cap international represented Selecao Canarinha at four World Cups and triumphed in three of those, scoring 12 goals in the process. Pele first made his first outing in the competition in 1958, aged just 17 at the time and became the youngest-ever scorer in the tournament’s history when he scored in a quarter-final win against Wales.

The footballing great played at his final World Cup in 1970 and once again starred for Brazil, scoring four goals whilst turning provider on six occasions to win his third title across a 12-year spell.

6

Lionel Messi – 13 goals

Lionel Messi is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time and if that notion wasn’t already cemented, it certainly was when he lifted the World Cup in 2022 for the first time in his career. The former Barcelona playmaker scored seven times whilst turning provider on three occasions to help Argentina win the competition for the first time since 1986. Messi was named Player of the Tournament for the second time in his career, becoming the first player to achieve such a feat.

The 36-year-old’s tally of 13 goals is only bettered by three players in World Cup history, which is an extraordinary achievement given his game is about much more than goals.

5

Just Fontaine – 13 goals

Just Fontaine appeared at one World Cup, the 1958 edition, and scored a colossal 13 goals in just six appearances. The French centre-forward holds the record for the most goals scored in a World Cup by a player. Fontaine netted a hat-trick in the opening game during a 7-3 win against Paraguay and scored four in a 6-3 victory over Germany in the third place play-off.

The prolific striker enjoyed a successful career at club level, too, scoring 145 goals in 152 outings for Reims. Fontaine also had an exceptional goal-scoring record at Nice. After his playing career, he worked as a manager for France, Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse.

4

Kylian Mbappe – 14 goals

Remarkably, Kylian Mbappe is already in the top 10 all-time top goalscorers in World Cup history and he’s still got a long way to go in his career. After appearing at his first two World Cups, he netted 12 goals across 14 appearances, including a hat-trick in the 2022 final defeat to Argentina. Mbappe became the first player to score three goals in the competition’s final since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966. Despite the heartbreaking penalty shootout loss, Mbappe took home the Golden Boot Award having scored eight goals.

The brilliant forward also scored in the 2018 final during a 4-2 triumph against Croatia. Mbappe’s long-range strike made him the second-ever teenager to net in the final after Pele in 1958. He then scored twice in his opening match against Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, to overtake Olivier Giroud’s record as his country’s all-time top goalscorer (on 58 goals).

3

Gerd Muller – 14 goals

Gerd Muller’s record on the international stage is quite simply astounding. The centre-forward scored a remarkable 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany and 14 of those came in the World Cup. Muller, who won the Ballon d’Or award in 1970, appeared at two World Cups and won the 1974 edition after netting four goals whilst laying on three assists. His goalscoring record at the 1970 tournament was even greater, scoring 10 goals across six outings.

Muller scored successive hat-tricks in wins over Bulgaria and Peru and is the last player to net two hat-tricks at a World Cup. His 10-goal tally in 1970 is the third most in the competition’s history behind only the aforementioned Kocsis and Fontaine.

2

Ronaldo – 15 goals

Ronaldo is the second top scorer in World Cup history having scored 15 goals in the illustrious competition. The Brazillian centre-forward won the 2002 edition and was crowned top-scorer after netting eight goals, including a brace against Germany in the final. Ronaldo’s last World Cup came in 2006 and he scored three times before his nation bowed out in the quarter-final to eventual finalists France.

He retired in 2011 ending a glittering career which saw him represent the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid whilst firing in 62 goals on the international stage. Ronaldo is currently working as the president of Spanish second-tier outfit Real Valladolid, a club he owns. He also owns Brazillian top-flight side Cruzeiro.

1

Miroslav Klose – 16 goals

Miroslav Klose is the top scorer in World Cup history. The German centre-forward netted 16 times across 24 appearances and on his World Cup debut, he scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 win against Saudi Arabia in 2002. Klose appeared at four editions of the competition and received the Golden Boot award in 2006 after scoring five goals. He won the tournament in 2014 at the age of 36 and played a key role in achieving the feat, netting twice whilst turning provider on one occasion.

Klose retired in 2016 as Germany’s all-time top scorer with 71 goals and is cemented as a World Cup hero. Klose has worked in the dugout post-playing career and last managed Austrian side SCR Altach in 2023.

Statistics according to FIFA – Correct as of 16/06/2026

Everton appear to be closing in on a huge signing this summer, as Sportsboom claims that advanced talks are already underway for one potential target.

The Toffees are looking to build on the current talent available at David Moyes’s disposal, having comfortably avoided any talk of relegation from the Premier League after recent campaigns filled with issues.

The push for European football proved a step too far for the club this time around, but there is hope that a summer of investment could give some extra quality to get them over the line next season.

Links have persisted over several potential signings, with reports now claiming that John Stones could make a sensational return to Everton in the coming weeks.

Everton Close To John Stones Return

As Everton look to bolster their options this summer, the report from Sportsboom claims that the club are in “advanced talks” over a return for Stones this summer.

The defender is a free agent after leaving Manchester City, having impressed at the Etihad Stadium ever since his move from the Toffees back in 2016.

In the ten years since, Stones has won 19 trophies, which includes six Premier League titles. He has also been a key part of the England national team, and despite his recent injury struggles, he looks set to play a key role for the Three Lions in the World Cup this summer.

While his future remains undecided heading into the tournament, the reports of a potential move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium could bring about an early bit of business for Moyes and his side.

It’s claimed that Everton are “increasingly confident” of landing Stones, while interest from Serie A seemingly persists for the centre-back.

It remains to be seen whether that deal can be closed, but there is a risk in the Toffees doing so.

John Stones Transfer Risk

There are plenty of pros and cons in trying to land a player like Stones in the summer transfer window.

The defender has been described as “world-class” during his time at Man City, and while his physical nature may have dropped with age, his leadership and intelligence should bring some longevity to his ability at the very least.

Most of the concerns when it comes to his availability, however. Stones has struggled to get on the pitch as regularly as he would’ve wanted, with injury issues impacting his ability to feature for Man City.

While they can cover for someone like that in their ranks, the possibility of Everton doing the same with similar quality is clearly a lot tougher.

Add to that some possible wage demands, and in all it could make for a deal that is expensive and questionable for the long-term success of the club.

It remains to be seen whether a move will go through, and whether it’s a success. But there is certainly some risk in getting it over the line.

France forward Kylian Mbappe was left stunned after being denied what looked to be a certain penalty in their opening Group I match against Senegal in New Jersey.

Losing finalists in 2022, France are among the leading contenders for this year’s tournament, but got off to a slow start in the first 45 minutes of their tournament.

Their luck looked to have changed in the 58th minute of the contest when the Real Madrid man appeared to be taken out inside the box by a lunging challenge from Sadio Mane.

Kylian Mbappe Denied Penalty After Bizarre VAR Decision

To the naked eye, it appeared that Mane had taken Mbappe down with his trailing leg. However, the referee Alireza Faghani disagreed and initially pointed for a corner, believing that Mane had made contact with the ball.

Soon after, the official was instructed to hold up play while a VAR review took place. When the referee was called over to the screen to take a second look at the incident, it seemed inevitable that France would be awarded a spot kick.

In a stunning turn of events, though, the outcome of the VAR review was ‘no penalty’, with the officials determining that Mbappe had initiated the contact before he went down.

‘Mad Decision’ – Experts Baffled By ‘No Penalty’ Decision

Credit: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Among those who couldn’t believe the decision was French journalist Matt Spiro, who wrote on X:

“How on earth has Mbappe ‘initiated the contact’. Mane came flying in, made contact with Mbappe, who fell. Harder to get a much clearer pen than that!”

That view was backed on by Darren McCann, who was part of the officiating team for the 2010 World Cup final, on the BBC’s coverage of the match.

“I can’t support the referee’s decision. For me, it was a clear penalty.” He added “My phone has been blowing up, with several of the world’s best referees saying they also can’t understand why the penalty wasn’t given.”

In some ways, justice was done a short time later when Mbappe gave Didier Deschamps’ side the lead after 66 minutes.