Do Goals in World Cup Third-Place Matches Count Toward the Golden Boot?
The World Cup's third-place play-off has been part of nearly every tournament since it was introduced in 1934, except for a few exceptions due to World War II and the 1950 round-robin format. Goals scored during this match do count towards a player's total goal tally and can influence who wins the Golden Boot.
This match often comes after the disappointment of missing out on the final, making it tough mentally for players. England’s manager Thomas Tuchel once said no one really wants to participate in this fixture. Yet, the goals here remain crucial for players chasing top scorer honors.
2026 Tournament Contenders
At the 2026 World Cup, several players still have a chance to clinch the Golden Boot thanks to the upcoming third-place game. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham are all contenders despite their teams not reaching the final.
Before the final two matches, these four are among seven players with five or more goals. England and France meet for third place on Saturday, followed by the final between Spain and Argentina the next day.
Mbappe and Lionel Messi lead with eight goals each, but Messi is ahead due to having more assists. Erling Haaland sits at seven goals but won't add any as Norway exited earlier. Bellingham and Kane have six goals apiece; Dembele and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal have five each.
Lineups and Strategy Impacting the Golden Boot
The strength of squads fielded by England and France in the third-place play-off could decide the Golden Boot winner. For instance, in 2018 England made five changes for the match against Belgium, with Kane starting but not scoring.
Historical Influence of Third-Place Matches on Golden Boot Winners
Seven past Golden Boot winners have scored in the third-place game. Four of them needed those goals to secure the award:
- Thomas Muller (Germany, 2010)
- Davor Suker (Croatia, 1998)
- Salvatore Schillaci (Italy, 1990)
- Leonidas (Brazil, 1938)
Others like Grzegorz Lato (Poland, 1974), Eusebio (Portugal, 1966), and Just Fontaine (France, 1958) also scored in the third-place match but would have won the Golden Boot regardless.
