We're into the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the race for the Golden Boot -- given to the tournament's top goal scorer -- is red-hot.
The main contenders are also the most obvious names: Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, Norway's Erling Haaland and England's Harry Kane.
They have enjoyed prolific starts with numerous goals in their group-stage games, but who will be the best scorer in North America this summer?
Here are the main contenders for the title, and others who might just play their way into contention.
(Note: FIFA's rules state that if two players are tied on most goals, then their assist total will be used as a decider).
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Goals: 7
Assists: 0
Games: 4
Why he will win it: This one is easy. Argentina's opening game showed all you need to see. World Cup hat tricks are not an everyday occurrence, and Messi had one against Algeria, his first in World Cup history. He added two more goals -- in doing so, he set a new all-time tournament goal record (18). His two goals since then have taken him to 20.
A deep run to the final, which defending champions Argentina are more than capable of, would give Messi a perfect chance to secure his first Golden Boot in this competition.
Why he won't: In truth, there are very few reasons to doubt Messi will end this tournament as the top scorer, but one stands out: Is Messi the best scorer in world football? Messi is still one of the best players on the planet, but at 39, he is no longer the best player on the planet. Kane and Mbappé both had better goals-per-minute ratios than him last season, and over the course of a long tournament, both would be potential candidates to outscore him.
Remember, Messi has never won the Golden Boot -- Mbappé's final hat trick left him one ahead in 2022. Can Messi really go on to win it during what we presume is his last dance?
Kylian Mbappé, France
Goals: 7
Assists: 2
Games: 5
Why he will win it: Alongside Kane, Mbappé is one of two players at this World Cup who have previously won the Golden Boot, and he is playing like a man inspired to defend his 2022 crown. He has scored in all but one of France's five games at this World Cup (he netted two on three of those occasions) and is rivalling Messi even for the all-time top scorer title.
With a star-studded forward line also includes Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Michael Olise, France have scored the most goals and attempted the most shots. Mbappé is the main figure at the head of that attack, so it only stands to reason that given enough time he will end as this tournament's top scorer.
Why he won't: Typically, the Golden Boot winner comes from a team that reaches the semifinals, if not the final. France are the tournament favorites, meaning that should be somewhat expected. Perhaps the only thing that can stop Mbappé is a stunning knockout defeat that prematurely ends France's run. Otherwise, there are very few reasons why Mbappé shouldn't win it again. Barring Messi continuing to score at an electric rate, there really isn't any other reason to doubt Mbappé.
Vinícius Júnior, Brazil
Goals: 4
Assists: 1
Games: 4
Why he will win it: There is something comforting about a Brazil star winning the Golden Boot. The country has such a special affinity with the World Cup, and yet no Brazilian has won it since Ronaldo in 1998. Vinícius Júnior is the main attacking outlet for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is one of the best coaches in the world at getting his biggest stars to perform. He has more goals since Ancelotti's arrival 12 months ago than he did in his first 39 games for Brazil, including goals in all three of his side's group games.
Why he won't: It might shock you, but Vinícius isn't actually much of a goal scorer. He had only nine goals in 49 games for Brazil entering this tournament and has never truly threatened to be LaLiga's top scorer while at Real Madrid. Winning the Golden Boot would be a surprise for Vinícius.
Erling Haaland, Norway
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Games: 3
Why he will win it: After Norway's opening game against Iraq, in which Haaland netted twice in a 4-1 win, he was asked by reporters whether he was the best goal scorer in world soccer. "I would say I'm up there," he replied. "I don't think I scored the most goals this season, so statistically no. Harry Kane and [Kylian] Mbappé scored more goals than me and that's the reality."
Haaland was being modest. He added two more goals against Senegal, once again proving why he has a claim at being the best scorer in world soccer. He then netted the winner against the Ivory Coast in the round of 32.
As long as his side is in the World Cup, he will always have a great chance to be top of that stat pile.
"It's my specialty to score goals," Haaland told reports after the Senegal game. "I'm just really good at scoring goals."
Why he won't: Haaland, more than anyone on this list, will need his country to go on a deep run to take the award. Norway are an above-average team at this tournament, but they'll need to find a way past Brazil in the round of 16 and potentially England in the quarterfinals if they are going to do so.
Harry Kane, England
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Games: 4
Why he will win it: Check any scoring chart in Europe this year and there's a good chance Kane is No. 1 on it. The Bayern Munich striker's scoring form has been so good that he is firmly in the Ballon d'Or conversation. His five goals in four games is all the proof you need that England's attack runs through Kane.
Why he won't: If Kane was wearing a France shirt at this tournament, you'd be hard-pressed to suggest anyone else would be the top scorer. Even Mbappé would find it difficult to keep up with him. But Kane plays for England, who somehow find a way to stifle their own attack at every major tournament. They rely heavily on Kane -- shown by his superb brace against Congo DR in the round-of-32 -- but England are not a free-flowing side that look keen to get into a high-scoring shootouts just yet.