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
Didier Deschamps has downplayed France's status as the leading contenders for the World Cup crown, instead pointing towards a European rival as the team to beat. Speaking ahead of Les Bleus' opening fixture against Senegal, the veteran coach insisted that while his side harbours domestic ambitions, they do not currently hold the mantle of the world's strongest team.
Kylian Mbappe has issued a rallying cry to his France team-mates by admitting he must evolve his own game to ensure World Cup glory. The Les Bleus captain acknowledges that his defensive contributions have often been a point of contention and is determined to silence the critics in North America.
Four years ago in Qatar, Lionel Messi ended the GOAT debate by leading Argentina to victory over France in the World Cup final. There was a player on the other team, though, who actually appeared to have sufficient talent to potentially reopen it one day. After all, Kylian Mbappe had actually pipped Messi to the tournament's Golden Boot by outscoring the Argentine No.10 in that epic encounter in Lusail thanks to the first hat-trick in a World Cup final since Sir Geoff Hurst all the way back in 1966.
Kylian Mbappe is learning how to share the limelight, Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL, with the World Cup-winning Frenchman boasting similar main character energy to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Those qualities are currently illuminating La Liga and the 2026 World Cup, but could they pass through the English Premier League at some point?
From enchiladas to coxinha, discover the fan-favorite foods of Groups G, H and I and where to find them across New York City during the 2026 World Cup.
Germany legend Miroslav Klose expects his iconic World Cup goal-scoring record to be shattered during the current tournament cycle in North America. The former striker feels the expanded tournament format provides the perfect platform for elite forwards to surpass his historic tally, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading the chase.
Rayan Cherki has been earning plenty of plaudits at Manchester City, with Frank Leboeuf telling GOAL why the mercurial playmaker deserves to be compared with Zinedine Zidane - the GOAT of French football. That is some billing, but two magical midfielders are considered to share a number of traits - including on-field skill sets and off-pitch ticket-selling qualities.
Michael Olise is considered to be “simply the best” right winger in world football at the moment, with Frank Leboeuf telling GOAL why the Bayern Munich star can currently be ranked above Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal. A French World Cup winner from 1998 is hoping to see a talismanic performer in the present inspire Les Bleus to global glory in 2026.
Paul Pogba insists his long-term ambition remains a return to the France national team despite an injury-hit spell at Monaco. The midfielder has managed only limited minutes since restarting his career in Ligue 1, but says regaining full fitness and reaching the highest level again remains his immediate priority.
The 2026 World Cup is finally underway as all 48 teams begin to fight it out for the universally coveted trophy. While the collective prize is the main objective for all competitors, some will be hoping to make their claim as the best player of the entire tournament. But who are the top contenders and who is leading the race for the prestigious Golden Ball?
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has backed his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi to spearhead another successful World Cup campaign for Argentina. Despite the legendary forward turning 38, the French attacker insists that Messi's unparalleled quality remains undiminished.
Ousmane Dembele has leapt to the defence of Kylian Mbappe, claiming criticism of the France captain has become excessive. The Paris Saint-Germain forward argued that scrutiny surrounding his international team-mate often goes beyond football and overlooks the pressure that comes with being one of the game's biggest stars.
Kylian Mbappe has urged Didier Deschamps to bow out of international football on a high rather than take charge of another national team after the 2026 World Cup. The France captain admitted he is trying to influence his manager's future plans and described a potential move to Italy as "awful" as Les Bleus prepare for one final campaign under their long-serving coach.
The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.
We're now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, with teams currently making their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday. This is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 teams having qualified, meaning there are a whole host of players making their first appearance on the global stage.
It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just hours away, with the best players on the planet having descended on the United States, Canada and Mexico for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Kylian Mbappe, claiming the forward has been unfairly targeted during a turbulent second season at Real Madrid. The legendary coach believes the Frenchman has been cast as a "scapegoat" at the Bernabeu but is tipped to explode back into form at the upcoming World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe has gone three straight matches without a goal for France, but Didier Deschamps is not concerned ahead of the World Cup. The Real Madrid forward joked that he is saving his finishing touch for the tournament, while Michael Olise stole the show with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.
Michael Olise scored three and France overcame a brief scare from Northern Ireland to wrap up their pre-World Cup friendlies with a comfortable 3-1 win. The Bayern Munich star was effective throughout and good value for his hat-trick as Les Bleus saw off the visitors without really getting out of second gear. It's hard to imagine a better result before France move to the U.S.
France
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