Kylian Mbappé: Can the French Star Win the 2026 Golden Shoe?
Kylian Mbappé is still in the race to win the Golden Boot even though France lost in the semi-finals. England need to score in the third place match to maintain hope.
Kylian Mbappé: Can the French Star Win the 2026 Golden Shoe?
According to Foxsports.
Context
Kylian Mbappé is currently leading the number of assists in the tournament, with 3 assists compared to Messi's 2. If he can score in the third place match, it will strengthen his position in the race for the Golden Boot, a title he won in the previous World Cup.
Why this is important
Kylian Mbappé is still in the race to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup, even though France was eliminated in the semi-finals. The upcoming third-place match will be his last chance to score and consolidate his position in the rankings. Winning the Golden Shoe is not only a personal title but can also affect his future career.
Main point
- Kylian Mbappé: Can the French Star Win the 2026 Golden Shoe?.
- Kylian Mbappé is still in the race to win the Golden Shoe even though France lost in the semi-finals.
- Kylian Mbappé Goals: Can France's Star Still Win the Golden Boot? | FOX Sports.
Although France's hopes of winning the World Cup ended after a 0-2 loss to Spain in the semi-finals, Kylian Mbappé is still in the race for the Golden Boot. France will participate in the third-place match next Saturday, and every goal in this match will count towards the Golden Boot rankings.
Les Bleus' opponents will be the losers in the semi-final between England and Argentina on Wednesday. Currently, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are leading the tournament with 8 goals each. If they finish with the same number of goals, the golden boot will be decided through FIFA's secondary criteria: the player with more assists wins, and if the number of assists is also equal, the player who scores in fewer minutes will be given priority.
Currently, Mbappé is leading with 3 assists compared to Messi's 2. Mbappé played a total of 609 minutes through 7 matches, while Messi played 531 minutes through 6 matches. If Messi plays at least 79 minutes against England on Wednesday, he will surpass Mbappé in total playing time, meaning the time criterion will also favor the French star.
Despite the semi-final defeat, the odds for Kylian Mbappé to win the Golden Boot are currently +180. So what does Mbappé need to do to win this award for the second time in a row? Currently, his clearest path is to keep the rankings as they are. If Messi does not score or provide any assists in Argentina's remaining matches, Mbappé will win based on the number of assists if both have 8 goals. However, if Messi has another goal or an assist in Wednesday's semi-final, Mbappé will need to score in France's third-place match to keep his hopes of winning the Golden Boot alive.
Check out the updated Golden Boot odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 14:
- Lionel Messi: -160 (bet 10 USD to win 26.5 USD in total)
- Kylian Mbappé: +180 (bet 10 USD to win 28 USD in total)
- Harry Kane: +950 (bet 10 USD to win 105 USD total)
- Jude Bellingham: +1600 (bet 10 USD to win 170 USD total)
- Mikel Oyarzabal: +12500 (bet 10 USD to win 1,260 USD in total)
What happens next
France will face the loser of the semi-final between England and Argentina next Saturday. Mbappé needs to score in this match to maintain his hopes of winning the Golden Shoe, especially when he is competing with Lionel Messi. If he does not score, his chances will decrease significantly, affecting his season and career in the context of the 2026 World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match between France and Spain ended with what score?
France lost to Spain 0-2 in the semi-finals.
How many goals does Kylian Mbappé currently have at the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappé currently has 8 goals at the 2026 World Cup.
The third place match between France and which team will take place?
France will participate in the third place match against the loser of the semi-final between England and Argentina.
What does Kylian Mbappé need to do to win the 2026 Golden Shoe?
Mbappé needs to keep the current number of goals and hope Messi doesn't score more goals or get more assists.
Who is leading in assists between Mbappé and Messi?
Currently, Kylian Mbappé is leading with 3 assists compared to Messi's 2.
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