Jude Bellingham Joins World Cup Golden Boot Race

Jude Bellingham has officially joined the race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot, a surprising development for a midfielder.

Bellingham has scored six goals, matching teammate Harry Kane, after netting consecutive braces against Mexico and Norway. His performances have defied expectations, with data from Squawka Signal showing a public underestimation of a midfielder topping the scoring charts. He is outperforming his expected goals (xG) by making late runs into the penalty box, a sign of peak form.

England's deep run in the tournament, including a third-place playoff, benefits Bellingham. He has two more guaranteed games, giving him an advantage over players whose teams have been eliminated. England is set to face Argentina in the semifinals in Atlanta.

Other top contenders include Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, both with eight goals. Mbappe is France's all-time top scorer and has become the World Cup's most prolific knockout-stage scorer. Messi, at 39, has set a record by scoring in nine consecutive World Cup games. Erling Haaland of Norway, with seven goals, had a strong tournament but is now eliminated.