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Important update on 1476AMTop 10: FIFA World Cup goal scorers
SEN • April 22nd, 2026 2:40 pm
Every four years the FIFA World Cup rolls around as the biggest sporting event in the world.
Legends are made on the grandest stage and it’s usually the goal scorers we remember the most.
Today we feature the Top 10 goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history.
FIFA Top 10: World Cup goal scorers
1 - Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16 goals
Germany’s consummate professional who dismantled defences across four World Cups. 16 goals from 24 matches is a great return. Helped Germany lift the 2014 World Cup trophy.
2 - Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15 goals
Arguably the greatest striker of his generation, Ronaldo was a goal machine with power, nous and nuance. Won two World Cups (1994 and 2002), scoring twice in the ’02 triumph.
3 - Gerd Müller (West Germany) - 14 goals
A prolific and efficient striker who starred for West Germany in the 1960s and 70s. Scored 14 World Cup goals in 13 outings across two tournaments - a dazzling return.
Eq.4 - Just Fontaine (France) - 13 goals
Crazy to think that the superstar Frenchman scored all 13 of his goals in just one World Cup. Fontaine dominated in 1958, scoring in all six matches as Les Bleus finished third in Sweden.
Eq.4 - Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 13 goals
Arguably the greatest footballer in history, Messi has found the back of the net on 13 occasions from 26 World Cup outings. Scored twice in then Final and then again from the spot in the shootout as Argentina defeated France in 2022. Will feature in this year's edition with the record in his sights.
Eq.6 - Pelé (Brazil) - 12 goals
Brazil’s best ever lit up four World Cups with 12 goals in 14 matches. Pelé piled on six goals as a 17-year-old including two in the Final, as Brazil downed host nation Sweden in 1958. The eternal samba King is a three-time World Cup winner.
Eq.6 - Kylian Mbappé (France) - 12 goals
Mbappé has been on a heater at World Cups, putting away 12 goals in 14 appearances. He netted four goals in the 2018 edition including once as France beat Croatia, becoming the second teenager to score in a Final joining Pelé. Scored a hat-trick in the losing 2022 Final for a total of eight in Qatar.
Eq.8 - Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) - 11 goals
Score all 11 goals in five appearances at the 1954 World Cup.
Eq.8 - Jürgen Klinsmann (West Germany / Germany) - 11 goals
Played in three World Cups, scoring five times in the 1994 edition. Helped Germany win the 1990 World Cup.
Eq.10 - Helmut Rahn (West Germany) - 10 goalsEq.10 - Gary Lineker (England) - 10 goalsEq.10 - Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) - 10 goalsEq.10 - Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) - 10 goalsEq.10 - Thomas Müller (Germany) - 10 goalsEq.10 - Grzegorz Lato (Poland) - 10 goals
The FIFA World Cup 26™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada kicks off on Friday, June 12. You can hear EVERY GAME LIVE across the SEN network.
