The World Cup group stage has concluded! Goal involvement leaderboard: Messi and Mbappe lead with 6 goals each, three players with 5 goals

With the 2026 World Cup expanding to 48 teams, it's undeniable that many weak sides are present. Taking AFC teams as an example, out of nine that entered, only Japan and Australia reached the knockout rounds. More weak teams means stars can rack up stats. Previously, six goals might have been enough for the Golden Boot, but Messi has already scored six after just two and a half games. In terms of goal involvements, Messi and Mbappe are tied at the top, with three players like Dembélé closely behind.

Goal involvement rankings after the 2026 World Cup group stage:

• Joint first: 6 goals! Messi (6 goals, 0 assists), Mbappe (4 goals, 2 assists).
• Joint third: 5 goals! Ondoa (3 goals, 2 assists), Dembélé (4 goals, 1 assist), Vinícius (4 goals, 1 assist).
• Joint sixth: 4 goals! Haaland (4 goals, 0 assists), Manzambi (3 goals, 1 assist), Isak (1 goal, 3 assists), Ismaïla Sarr (3 goals, 1 assist).

On this list, Switzerland's 20-year-old attacking midfielder Manzambi might be a rising star of this World Cup, using the tournament as a stepping stone to a big club. Messi hasn't recorded any assists yet? That's because he's scored too many himself, playing the role of a finisher. He's a player who gets better with age, especially with his set-piece ability turning free kicks into penalties, rather than being an "old relic" clinging to a spot without contributing. Mbappe, though scoring two fewer goals, has two more assists, and France's attacking group offers more diverse threats than Argentina's.

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