Royal AM Overview

The 2026 World Cup is underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long road ahead as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here are GOAL's predicted candidates for the prize as we keep track of the tournament's most prolific stars

France head coach Didier Deschamps has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of his mother’s passing during the World Cup. The legendary tactician took a brief leave of absence from the squad to be with his family before making a quick return to lead Les Bleus into the knockout stages.

France head coach Didier Deschamps has launched a passionate defence of Kylian Mbappe, insisting the forward is currently on a single-minded mission to lead Les Bleus to further glory. The Real Madrid star has been the focal point of the French national team as they prepare for the high-stakes knockout rounds of the World Cup.

Michael Olise has emerged as one of the standout performers of the World Cup, cementing his status as one of global football's elite talents. Following an exceptional domestic campaign with Bayern Munich, the French international is now seeking clarity regarding his role at the Allianz Arena as heavyweight interest continues to mount.