Mbappé claims World Cup scoring record as France fall to England

Kylian Mbappé has become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, reaching 22 goals during the 2026 tournament. The French forward secured the record by scoring a brace in France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff match, played in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Mbappé’s 21st and 22nd career tournament goals were scored in the 48th and 66th minutes respectively, surpassing the previous record of 21 held by Lionel Messi. The achievement cements his status as a premier tournament performer, though it occurred against the backdrop of a significant team loss.

France had trailed 4-0 at halftime but mounted a comeback attempt that ultimately fell short. England secured third place with a decisive goal from Jude Bellingham in the 90+8th minute. The match also served as the final game for French manager Didier Deschamps, who implemented wholesale changes to the lineup, including Warren Zaïre-Emery’s first start in midfield.

Mbappé finished the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals, making him the first player since Gerd Müller in 1970 to reach double figures in a single tournament. He currently leads the competition for the Golden Boot with 10 goals, two ahead of Messi.

Speaking after the match, Mbappé acknowledged the historical significance of the record while expressing a preference for team success. "It's for sure that when you score that many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels but I would have liked to not be the top scorer in history and play tomorrow's (championship) match," he said.

Lionel Messi retains the opportunity to reclaim the all-time scoring record and secure the Golden Boot in Sunday’s final against Spain. The final is scheduled for 19 July 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain has won three consecutive matches against France in recent major tournaments, including the 2024 European Championship and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals.