Do Goals in the World Cup Third-Place Match Count Towards the Golden Boot?
The World Cup third-place play-off has been part of nearly every tournament since its introduction in 1934. Goals scored during this match are included in players' overall goal totals, affecting their chances of winning the Golden Boot.
This fixture was missing only three times: during the 1942 and 1946 tournaments canceled due to World War II, and in 1950 when the final rounds were played in a round-robin format instead. Since 1954, it has returned as a regular feature.
Psychological Challenge of the Match
Playing the third-place game can be tough mentally for players coping with elimination. England's manager Thomas Tuchel has said that no player looks forward to this match. Still, players can boost their individual goal tallies here, keeping their Golden Boot hopes alive.
2026 Golden Boot Contenders
With France and England eliminated in the semi-finals, stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham still have a shot at the Golden Boot thanks to the upcoming third-place match.
As the tournament nears its end, seven players have scored five or more goals. England and France will face off in the third-place match on Saturday, followed by the final between Spain and Argentina the next day.
Mbappe and Lionel Messi lead with eight goals each, but Messi holds an edge due to one more assist. Erling Haaland of Norway follows with seven goals but is out after his team's quarter-final exit. England's Bellingham and Kane each have six goals, while Dembele and Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal have five apiece.
Team Selection Could Decide the Award
How strong England and France lineups are for the third-place match might decide the Golden Boot winner. In 2018, England made five changes for their third-place game against Belgium. Kane started but didn't score that time.
Golden Boot Winners Who Scored in Third-Place Matches
Seven past Golden Boot winners have added goals during the third-place game. For four of them, those goals were decisive in securing the award:
- Thomas Muller (Germany) - 2010
- Davor Suker (Croatia) - 1998
- Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) - 1990
- Leonidas (Brazil) - 1938
Others who scored in the play-off but would have won anyway include Poland's Grzegorz Lato (1974), Portugal's Eusebio (1966), and France's Just Fontaine (1958).
Golden Boot Winners Who Scored in Third-Place Games
- 2010 – Thomas Muller (Germany)
- 1998 – Davor Suker (Croatia)
- 1990 – Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
- 1974 – Grzegorz Lato (Poland) (would have won without play-off goals)
- 1966 – Eusebio (Portugal) (would have won without play-off goals)
- 1958 – Just Fontaine (France) (would have won without play-off goals)
- 1938 – Leonidas (Brazil)
