Dalkurd FF Overview

World Cup 2026 Golden Boot standings: Messi leads Mbappe & Co

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

Messi, Mbappe and Haaland lead Golden Boot race for the ages

The Golden Boot may not always lead to team success, but the race for the individual award this summer might be one of the most compelling in recent memory

Peter Shilton Diego Maradona 1986 World Cup

No Hand of God or wonder goal! VAR would’ve changed history

Peter Shilton has explained to GOAL how VAR would have changed the course of history had it been around in 1986, as there would have been no ‘Hand of God’, individual wonder goal or World Cup win for Diego Maradona. Argentina’s mercurial No.10 quite literally carried his nation to global glory single-handedly on Mexican soil, with his most memorable performance being delivered against England at the quarter-final stage.

Messi's mentor is staying! Scaloni verbally agrees new Argentina deal

Lionel Scaloni is set to extend his legendary tenure as Argentina head coach after reportedly reaching a verbal agreement to remain in charge until 2031. The news comes as the Albiceleste prepare for their 2026 World Cup knockout clash against Cape Verde in Miami.

Yamal set World Cup challenge in order to match Messi & Co

Spain sensation Lamine Yamal has been warned that he still has plenty to prove on the international stage despite his meteoric rise at Barcelona. Argentina legend Mario Kempes has challenged the teenager to replicate his club form at the World Cup if he wants to be considered a true superstar of the game.

Spain v Cabo Verde: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

How have debutant teams performed at the FIFA World Cup?

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 is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.