All-time World Cup top scorers.

Updated June 20, 2026 · DynastyDaily Editorial · ● Live

Direct answer

Miroslav Klose leads the all-time list with 16 World Cup goals across four tournaments (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Ronaldo Nazário of Brazil is second with 15. Gerd Müller (14) and Just Fontaine (13, in a single 1958 tournament) round out the top four. After Qatar 2022, Messi and Mbappé both moved into the all-time top 6.

All-time top scorers

#	Player	Country	Goals	WCs	Span
1	Miroslav Klose	Germany	16	4 WCs	2002-2014
2	Ronaldo Nazário	Brazil	15	4 WCs	1994-2006
3	Gerd Müller	West Germany	14	2 WCs	1970-1974
4	Just Fontaine	France	13	1 WCs	1958
4	Lionel Messi	Argentina	13	5 WCs	2006-2022
6	Pelé	Brazil	12	4 WCs	1958-1970
6	Kylian Mbappé	France	12	2 WCs	2018-2022
8	Sándor Kocsis	Hungary	11	1 WCs	1954
8	Jürgen Klinsmann	Germany	11	3 WCs	1990-1998
10	Helmut Rahn	West Germany	10	2 WCs	1954-1958
10	Teófilo Cubillas	Peru	10	3 WCs	1970-1982
10	Gabriel Batistuta	Argentina	10	3 WCs	1994-2002
10	Grzegorz Lato	Poland	10	3 WCs	1974-1982
10	Thomas Müller	Germany	10	4 WCs	2010-2022
10	Gary Lineker	England	10	2 WCs	1986-1990

Through the Qatar 2022 final. Mbappé's 8-goal Qatar tournament and Messi's 7 goals lifted both past Pelé.

Klose's 16 — what it took

Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals was built across four tournaments. He scored 5 at Korea/Japan 2002 (Germany finalists), 5 again at Germany 2006 (third place), 4 at South Africa 2010 (semifinalists), and 2 at Brazil 2014 — including the goal that drew Germany level with Brazil at 1-1 in the famous 7-1 semi-final, which broke Ronaldo Nazário's prior all-time record.

Just Fontaine's 13 goals in 1958 remain untouchable as the single-tournament record. He scored in every single match France played, including four in the third-place playoff against West Germany — a tournament that has not been equaled in 67 years.

The post-Qatar 2022 leaderboard changed the ranking in interesting ways. Both Lionel Messi (13) and Kylian Mbappé (12) passed Pelé. Messi sits joint-fourth with Just Fontaine. Mbappé is joint-sixth with Pelé. At 25 years old (Mbappé) and 39 (Messi), 2026 was always going to recast this list further.

FAQ

Who has scored the most World Cup goals ever?

Miroslav Klose of Germany, with 16 goals across the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments. He passed Ronaldo Nazário (15) at Brazil 2014.

What is the most goals scored in a single World Cup?

Just Fontaine of France scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden — a record that has not been threatened in nearly 70 years.

How many World Cup goals does Messi have?

13, after his 7-goal Qatar 2022 campaign. He is now tied with Just Fontaine for joint-fourth on the all-time list.

Did Mbappé pass Pelé?

Yes. Mbappé's 8-goal Qatar 2022 tournament — including a hat-trick in the final — took him to 12, tying with Pelé. At 25 years old at the start of WC 2026, he is the youngest player ever in the top 10.

All-time World Cup top scorers.

All-time top scorers

Klose's 16 — what it took

FAQ

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