Top scorers and best finishers at the 2026 World Cup so far

With 24 matches played, 75 goals scored, and Messi and Kane leading the scoring charts, the 2026 World Cup has delivered high action and strong competition.

Tournament scoring stats So far, 75 goals have been scored across 24 matches in the World Cup, giving an average of 3.125 goals per game — the highest figure after the first group stage since 1958. Despite worries about the tournament’s extended format, competition levels remain intense, with nine of the 24 games finishing in draws. The draw rate stands at 37.5%, the highest at this stage since 2010, matching that year’s percentage and only surpassed once since 1954. ## Goal-getters and shooters Six players attempted at least six shots in their first game, but only England’s Harry Kane and Argentina’s Lionel Messi managed to score. Kane’s two goals tied him with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals, while Messi’s hat-trick lifted him to 16 career World Cup goals, matching Miroslav Klose’s record. Turkey’s Arda Guler fired the most shots in the tournament so far, with eight attempts totaling just 0.26 expected goals, meaning a historically average player would need 31 shots to score once from such chances. South Korea’s Son Heung-min was the least clinical finisher in the opening round, failing to convert six chances worth a total of 1.0 expected goals despite his reputation as a reliable scorer in the Premier League. ## Conversion leaders and creators Twenty-four players have scored with every shot they took so far, but only two of them attempted more than one shot — Sweden’s Yasin Ayari and New Zealand’s Elijah Just, each scoring twice. In terms of chance creation, Spain’s Pedri stood out in the opening round, leading the tournament in expected assists with 1.23, and also winning possession in the final third six times, double the rate of any other player. Germany’s Joshua Kimmich was the only player with five chances created who saw his teammates convert, recording two assists in the 7-1 win over Curaçao. ## Dribbling dominance and aerial duels Manchester United’s Amad Diallo emerged as the top dribbler at the World Cup after completing the most successful take-ons among players who attempted five or more, doing so despite playing only 34 minutes as a substitute. Brazil’s Vinícius Junior attempted nine dribbles against Morocco without success, setting a record for the most unsuccessful dribbling efforts by any player at the tournament so far. In aerial battles, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Jovo Lukic won all nine of his duels in the air against Canada, an unbeaten record among players who contested more than four aerial challenges. ## Close duels and team impact Panama’s Jiovany Ramos and Senegal’s Krépin Diatta were the most successful players in 50-50 duels during the first round, winning more ground duels than any other player who competed in 10 or more challenges. Despite their individual success in these duels, neither player could prevent their teams from losing their opening matches. Their efforts highlight how individual brilliance does not always translate into team success in the early stages of the tournament. ## Group stage progress overview With the first round of group games completed, the World Cup has already produced a wide range of performances from teams and players. Standout stats and standout players have emerged, offering early indications of which teams and individuals could go far in the competition. The next round of matches will be crucial in determining who advances and who falls behind in their quest for the title.