COMPLETE RANKING: The 25 Highest-Scoring Players in World Cup History

The FIFA World Cup has been a platform for the greatest goalscorers in football to showcase their skills since its inception in 1930, with legendary players from various generations making their mark on the all-time scoring chart.

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Following Lionel Messi's hat-trick against Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J opener in Kansas City on Wednesday, he now shares the top spot with Germany's Miroslav Klose.

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The official list of leading scorers in World Cup history, as provided by FIFA on Wednesday, is a testament to the incredible talent that has graced the tournament over the years.

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Miroslav Klose of Germany and Lionel Messi of Argentina currently occupy the top spot, with 16 goals each, as per the latest update.

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Miroslav Klose achieved his 16 goals in 24 matches across 4 World Cups, including the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 tournaments.

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Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has scored his 16 goals in 27 matches, spanning 6 World Cups, namely the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions.

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Ronaldo Nazário of Brazil ranks third, with 15 goals in 19 matches across 4 World Cups, including the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 tournaments.

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Gerd Müller of West Germany and Kylian Mbappé of France are tied for fourth place, with 14 goals each, Müller achieving his tally in 13 matches and Mbappé in 15 matches.

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Gerd Müller participated in 2 World Cups, in 1970 and 1974, while Kylian Mbappé has played in 3 World Cups, including the 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions.

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Just Fontaine of France is sixth, with 13 goals in 6 matches, all scored in the 1958 World Cup.

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Pelé of Brazil ranks seventh, having scored 12 goals in 14 matches across 4 World Cups, including the 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970 tournaments.

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Jürgen Klinsmann of West Germany and Germany, and Sándor Kocsis of Hungary, are tied for eighth place, with 11 goals each, Klinsmann achieving his tally in 17 matches and Kocsis in 5 matches.

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Gabriel Batistuta of Argentina, Teófilo Cubillas of Peru, and Grzegorz Lato of Poland are among those tied for tenth place, with 10 goals each, Batistuta scoring in 12 matches, Cubillas in 13 matches, and Lato in 20 matches.

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Other players with 10 goals include Gary Lineker of England, Thomas Müller of Germany, and Helmut Rahn of West Germany, with Lineker scoring in 12 matches, Müller in 19 matches, and Rahn in 10 matches.

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Ademir de Menezes of Brazil, Roberto Baggio of Italy, and Eusébio of Portugal, are among those with 9 goals each, Ademir de Menezes scoring in 6 matches, Baggio in 16 matches, and Eusébio in 6 matches.

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Jairzinho of Brazil, Paolo Rossi of Italy, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of West Germany, also have 9 goals each, Jairzinho scoring in 16 matches, Rossi in 14 matches, and Rummenigge in 19 matches.

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Uwe Seeler of West Germany, Vavá of Brazil, and Christian Vieri of Italy, are tied with 9 goals each, Seeler scoring in 21 matches, Vavá in 10 matches, and Vieri in 9 matches.

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David Villa of Spain is another player with 9 goals, having scored in 12 matches across 3 World Cups, including the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions.