Top World Cup goalscorers of all time
World Cup goals are football’s most prestigious — scored on the biggest stage, often decades apart. Here are the all-time leading scorers in World Cup history (through the 2022 tournament).
All-time top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Miroslav Klose | Germany | 16 |
| Ronaldo | Brazil | 15 |
| Gerd Müller | Germany | 14 |
| Just Fontaine | France | 13 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 13 |
| Pelé | Brazil | 12 |
| Kylian Mbappé | France | 12 |
| Sándor Kocsis | Hungary | 11 |
| Jürgen Klinsmann | Germany | 11 |
Totals are through the 2022 World Cup. Active players can still move up.
A few things the list tells you
- Longevity wins. Klose’s record came across four tournaments — World Cup scoring rewards players who last.
- One-tournament magic. Just Fontaine’s 13 goals in 1958 remains the single-tournament record, untouched for generations.
- The active chasers. Messi sits on 13, and Mbappé on 12 at a young age — if either plays and scores in 2026, the top of the list could change (see our France and Argentina outlooks).
The 2026 angle
A new World Cup means new names on the scoresheet and a chance for active stars to climb. For an honest read on who’s in form and dangerous in a specific 2026 fixture — with live data — ask Mom’s Stake. History sets the stage; the goals get written fresh.
FAQ
Who has scored the most goals in World Cup history?
Miroslav Klose of Germany, with 16 goals across four tournaments (2002–2014), is the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer.
Which active players are near the top of the World Cup scoring list?
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are among the highest active scorers and, if either features and scores in 2026, could climb the all-time list further.
How many goals did Just Fontaine score in one World Cup?
Just Fontaine of France scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup — still the record for goals in a single tournament.
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