Here's how France's Kylian Mbappe can win Golden Boot at World Cup over Lionel Messi with 3rd

Here's how France's Kylian Mbappe can win Golden Boot at World Cup over Lionel Messi with 3rd-place game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Entering the final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina legend Lionel Messi holds the tiebreaker that would give him the Golden Boot over France superstar Kylian Mbappe.

But even though France lost earlier in the week, Mbappe still has a chance to win the Golden Boot for the tournament's top scorer.

The honor, in general, goes to the player that scores the most goals in the World Cup.

In this case, Mbappe and Messi each have eight goals entering the weekend.

Messi has four assists compared to Mbappe's three, giving him the tiebreaker.

The tricky part is that Mbappe and France play in the third-place game against England on Saturday. Argentina and Messi take on Spain in the World Cup Final on Sunday.

MORE: Lionel Messi's right foot makes its own magic in Argentina stunner

Do Kylian Mbappe goals in 3rd-place game count for Golden Boot?

Yes, goals scored in the third-place game count the same in the Golden Boot race.

Thomas Muller once won the Golden Boot by scoring for Germany while playing for third.

Mbappe likely will shoot early and often against England on Saturday to try and give himself the lead in the race for the Golden Boot.

MORE: So many late goals in the World Cup for Argentina

How can Kylian Mbappe beat Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot?

Mbappe has two paths to winning the Golden Boot.

If he scores more goals on Saturday than Messi does on Sunday, he'll win because they enter the weekend tied.

If they score the same number of goals, Mbappe would have to tally two more assists than Messi -- or manage to get one more assist to push it to the tiebreaker for fewest minutes played, and then do it in fewer minutes for the tournament, which would depend on how much each player plays this weekend.

It'd be a bit lame if Mbappe wins the Golden Boot for his output in the third-place match and not the final, but that's what the rules allow.

Erling Haaland brought a wild $750 gift home from the World Cup

An on-brand finish to Neymar's Brazil career

Christian Pulisic gives a terrible answer after World Cup-ending loss

Jerry Jones booed during World Cup match in Dallas

Actor who played Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso makes pro soccer debut