World Cup 2026
World Cup 2026 expected goals
Updated after every round. L. Messi leads the way with 4.9 xG.
| # | Player | Club | Expected goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L. Messi | Argentina | 4.9 |
| 2 | C. Ronaldo | Portugal | 4.9 |
| 3 | V. Osimhen | Nigeria | 4.9 |
| 4 | L. Díaz | Colombia | 4 |
| 5 | S. Giménez | Mexico | 4 |
| 6 | H. Son | South Korea | 4 |
| 7 | T. Kubo | Japan | 3.1 |
| 8 | S. Al-Dawsari | Saudi Arabia | 3.1 |
| 9 | F. Valverde | Uruguay | 2.2 |
| 10 | W. McKennie | United States | 2.2 |
| 11 | H. Ziyech | Morocco | 2.2 |
| 12 | A. Davies | Canada | 1.4 |
Figures are compiled from match data on this site and recalculated after each round. Expected goals estimate the quality of the chances a player has taken.
Reading the numbers
L. Messi leads the World Cup 2026 expected goals standings on 4.9 xG for Argentina, with C. Ronaldo (Portugal) 0 behind. Third place belongs to V. Osimhen on 4.9.
The table lists 12 players and 40.9 xG in total. No club manages more than one entry in the top ten, a sign of how evenly the work is spread.
Expected goals (xG) estimates the quality of the chances a player has taken, not just how many he has scored. A shot from six yards is worth far more than a shot from 25, and xG adds those probabilities together across a season. Compare xG with actual goals: a big positive gap suggests clinical finishing or a small sample, a big negative gap usually means either bad luck or a forward who is getting into the right positions without converting.
When comparing entries, remember that opportunity drives output. Minutes played decide how often a player can add to his tally, so a squad player with a strong per-90 rate can outrank a starter over a full season. Every figure on this page is recalculated after each round, so the order you see is the order after the most recent matchday in the World Cup 2026.
Common questions
Who has the most expected goals in the World Cup 2026 this season?
L. Messi of Argentina, with 4.9 xG.
How many players are ranked in this expected goals table?
12, covering 40.9 xG between them.
Who is second in the World Cup 2026 expected goals table?
C. Ronaldo of Portugal on 4.9 xG.