La Romanese Overview

There's no sporting event bigger than the World Cup. It's the pinnacle of professional football, where global superstars are born, dreams die and legends live forever. Sometimes, with just one goal, one pass, one tackle, one block or one save, a previously little-known player can become a national hero, a name eternally etched in the memory of a country's collective consciousness.

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

William Saliba has admitted that he has already put Arsenal’s Champions League final heartbreak behind him as he shifts his focus to international glory. The Frenchman was a key figure for the Gunners during their run to the showpiece event in Budapest, only to suffer a painful defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

France star Michael Olise has responded to glowing praise from captain Kylian Mbappe as Les Bleus are currently competing in the World Cup. The Bayern Munich winger has quickly become one of the most exciting talents in European football, earning a lofty reputation among his senior teammates.