Who has the most goals in the World cup?

Since its inception in 1930, the World Cup has quickly become the most watched sporting event in the world, with five billion viewers, surpassing the Tour de France. The tournament attracts the attention of not only football fans but also patriots who support their country in the hope of achieving the extraordinary. The 2026 edition will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and promises to be a month of drama. Join Kingsoccertips.com to find out who has the most goals in the world cup of all time. Without further ado, here is the list.

Who has scored most goals in the World cup?

10. Gabriel Batistuta – 10 goals

Argentina’s legendary centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta was a prolific goalscorer throughout his illustrious career. He scored a total of 10 goals for Argentina across three World Cups, a remarkable feat that demonstrated his excellent finishing ability. At the 1998 World Cup, Batistuta scored five goals in all competitions, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest scorer, just one behind Croatia’s Davor Suker, who won the Golden Boot. Notably, Batistuta is the only player in history to score hat-tricks in consecutive World Cups: first against Greece in 1994 and then against Jamaica in 1998.

After a string of successes both domestically and internationally, Batistuta retired in 2005. During his career, he made a lasting impression in Serie A, where he played for Fiorentina and AS Roma, as well as on the pitch in his native Argentina. With 78 caps for the national team, Batistuta is not only an icon of Argentine football but is also revered as one of the greatest strikers of all time. His World Cup exploits cemented his reputation as an immortal legend among fans.

9. Sandor Kocsis – 11 goals

Hungary’s legendary centre-forward Sandor Kocsis is one of the most prolific goalscorers in World Cup history despite only playing five games at the tournament. He scored an impressive 11 goals in the 1954 World Cup, which puts him ninth in the all-time scoring charts. His impressive tally included a hat-trick in the 9-0 win over South Korea in the opening game and four goals in the 8-3 win over West Germany in the group stage. Kocsis’s brilliant performances helped Hungary reach the final, although they were defeated 3-2 by West Germany.

In addition to his international success, Kocsis also made a huge impact in his club career. He played 68 times for Barcelona and became known as the ‘Golden Head’ for his superb heading ability. Kocsis scored an incredible 164 goals in 240 appearances for the Catalan club. His dedication to the club was celebrated with a testimonial match against Hamburg, leaving a lasting impression on the fans. Kocsis is not only a legend of Hungarian football but also an immortal icon of world football.

8. Jurgen Klinsmann – 11 goals

Jurgen Klinsmann, the famous German striker, had an illustrious career at three World Cups, representing both West Germany and Germany after the two were reunited. During his time at the tournament, Klinsmann scored a total of 11 goals. He was a member of the West German team that won the 1990 World Cup under coach Franz Beckenbauer. At the 1994 World Cup, Klinsmann scored 5 goals, finishing second in the scoring charts, behind only the two Golden Boot winners, Oleg Salenko of Russia and Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria.

After retiring in 2004, Klinsmann turned to coaching. He spent years leading the German national team, where he led the team to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup. Currently, Klinsmann is the head coach of the South Korea national team and has signed a contract with the team until July 2026. Klinsmann’s contributions to international football, both as a player and a coach, have affirmed his status as a legend of German football.

7. Pele – 12 goals

Pele is an iconic figure in football history and one of the greatest players of all time. During his international career, Pele represented Brazil, the Selecao Canarinha, in 92 matches at four World Cups, winning three of them, an impressive feat. He scored a total of 12 goals in World Cups, contributing to Brazil’s historic triumph.

Pele made his World Cup debut in 1958 at the age of 17 and immediately made his mark by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, netting in the quarter-final against Wales. The football legend also played in his final World Cup in 1970, where he again shone with four goals and six assists, helping Brazil win their third World Cup in just 12 years. This achievement not only affirms Pele’s talent but also elevates him to legendary status in world football history.

6. Kylian Mbappe – 12 goals

Remarkably, Kylian Mbappe has already broken into the top 10 of all-time World Cup goalscorers and is still in the early stages of his career. The 24-year-old has appeared at two World Cups and has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances, including a hat-trick in the 2022 final defeat to Argentina. Mbappe became the first player to score three goals in the final of the tournament since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966. Despite the painful penalty shootout loss, Mbappe won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward also scored in the 2018 final, a 4-2 win over Croatia. Mbappe’s long-range strike made him only the second teenager to score in a final since Pele in 1958. The 75-capped international is France’s third-highest goalscorer of all time with 46 goals and looks set to surpass Olivier Giroud’s record of 56.

5. Lionel Messi – 13 goals

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, and if that wasn’t enough, his triumph at the 2022 World Cup certainly confirmed it. The former Barcelona midfielder scored seven goals and provided three assists, playing a key role in Argentina’s first World Cup title since 1986. It was also the second time Messi was named the tournament’s best player, becoming the first player in history to achieve this feat.

Messi’s goalscoring record at the 2022 World Cup is incredibly impressive, with him trailing only three players in the tournament’s history for more goals. It’s worth noting that, despite Messi focusing not only on scoring, but also on assisting his teammates and creating important chances, he has maintained an impressive performance. This World Cup championship is not only Messi’s personal success but also elevates him to become an immortal legend in the hearts of world football fans.

4. Just Fontaine – 13 goals

Just Fontaine, a French striker, achieved an astonishing feat at the 1958 World Cup, his only tournament, scoring 13 goals in just six games. This was the most goals scored by a single player in World Cup history, a record that still stands today. Fontaine made a strong impression from his first match, scoring a hat-trick in a 7-3 win over Paraguay. He then continued his scoring streak with four goals in a 6-3 win over Germany in the third-place play-off, helping France to third place.

As well as being a standout on the international stage, Fontaine also had a stellar club career, scoring 145 goals in 152 appearances for Reims, one of France’s top clubs. He also had an impressive goalscoring record at Nice. After retiring, Fontaine turned to coaching, leading the national teams of France, Morocco, and clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse. His contributions to football, both as a player and a coach, have made him a great legend of world football.

3. Gerd Muller – 14 goals

Gerd Muller’s international record is truly remarkable. The centre-forward scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including 14 at the World Cup. Muller, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1970, played in two World Cups and won the 1974 World Cup, scoring four goals and providing three assists in that tournament. However, his goalscoring record at the 1970 World Cup was even more impressive, with 10 goals in six games, a feat few have matched.

Muller also achieved special feats at the 1970 World Cup, scoring three goals in consecutive victories over Bulgaria and Peru, and becoming the last player to score two goals in a World Cup match. His tally of 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup is the third highest in the tournament’s history, behind only Just Fontaine and Sandor Kocsis. Muller’s outstanding contributions to West German football not only made him a national legend but also left a strong mark on World Cup history.

2. Ronaldo – 15 goals

Ronaldo, the legendary Brazilian striker, is the second-highest goalscorer in World Cup history, with 15 goals in the prestigious tournament. He won the 2002 World Cup, scoring eight goals and was crowned the tournament’s top scorer. In the 2002 final, Ronaldo scored a brace against Germany to help Brazil win the title. His most recent World Cup was in 2006, when he scored three goals as Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual finalists France.

Ronaldo retired in 2011, ending a glittering career that saw him play for top clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, scoring a total of 62 international goals. Since retiring, Ronaldo has continued his successful career as a president, currently the owner of Spanish second division club Real Valladolid and top Brazilian club Cruzeiro. Ronaldo’s contributions are not only limited to the field but also in the field of football management and development, affirming him as a comprehensive legend of world football.

1. Miroslav Klose – 16 goals

Miroslav Klose, the legendary German striker, is the current record scorer in World Cup history, with 16 goals in 24 matches. Klose made his impressive debut at the 2002 World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in an 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia. He has played in four World Cups and won the Golden Boot in 2006 after scoring five goals. The pinnacle of Klose’s World Cup career came in 2014, when he won the tournament at the age of 36, playing a key role in Germany’s victory with two goals and an assist.

Klose retired in 2016, ending his playing career as Germany’s all-time leading scorer with 71 goals. He is considered a World Cup hero for his irreplaceable contributions to the national team. After retiring from the pitch, Klose began his coaching career and took his first steps as a coach. In 2023, he led the Austrian team, SCR Altach, in his coaching career.

Conclusion

Miroslav Klose leads the list of top scorers in World Cup history with 16 goals across four tournaments, including a memorable hat-trick against Saudi Arabia in 2002. His achievements not only helped Germany win the 2014 championship but also affirmed his status as a global football legend. Ronaldo is closely followed with 15 goals, highlighted by a brace in the 2002 final. Other names such as Gerd Müller, Just Fontaine, and Lionel Messi have also left a deep mark. These records are a testament to the dedication and outstanding talent of World Cup legends through the ages.

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