The 2026 World Cup is over, and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. With the expanded 48-nation tournament coming to a close, following a month of thrilling action in North America, which star has taken home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL lists the tournament's most prolific performers.
Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football after Algeria's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32. The former Manchester City winger brings the curtain down on a distinguished 12-year international career that included AFCON glory and 119 caps.
Alki Oroklinis
