In the 21 editions of the FIFA World Cup tournament, more than 2,000 goals have been scored. The first ever goal was scored by French player Lucien Laurent at the 1930 FIFA World Cup. More than 1200 footballers have scored goals after that in the World Cup. Argentina's Guillermo Stabile was the player who scored the most goals in the first World Cup, with eight goals in total. Whereas England’s Harry Kane scored the most goals (6) in the latest installment of the World Cup in Russia. Here is the list of the all time top goal scorers in the World Cup:
| S.No | Player | Goals scored | Team | Matches Played |
| 1 | Miroslav Klose | 16 | Germany | 24 |
| 2 | Ronaldo de Lima | 15 | Brazil | 19 |
| 3 | Gerd Muller | 14 | West Germany | 13 |
| 4 | Just Fontaine | 13 | France | 6 |
| 5 | Pele | 12 | Brazil | 14 |
| 6 | Sandor Kocsis | 11 | Hungary | 5 |
| 7 | Jurgen Klinsmann | 11 | Germany | 17 |
| 8 | Helmut Rahn | 10 | West Germany | 10 |
| 9 | Gary Lineker | 10 | England | 12 |
| 10 | Gabriel Batistuta | 10 | Argentina | 12 |
| 11 | Teofilo Cubillas | 10 | Peru | 13 |
| 12 | Thomas Muller | 10 | Germany | 16 |
| 13 | Grzegorz Lato | 10 | Poland | 20 |
| 14 | Eusebio | 9 | Portugal | 6 |
| 15 | Christian Vieri | 9 | Italy | 9 |
Most goals in the World Cup
#1 Mirsolav Klose - 16 goals
Germany's Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history, having scored 16 goals in 24 matches. The striker broke the previous record of most goals scored across four consecutive tournaments between 2002 and 2014. He also won the Golden Boot award in the 2006 edition.
#2 Ronaldo de Lima - 15 goals
Brazilian legend Ronaldo is second on the all-time list, having netted 15 goals in 19 matches. The Selecao superstar, who is a two time World Cup winner, represented his nation at four tournaments and was crowned as the top scorer in 2002.
#3 Gerd Muller - 14 goals
Former Germany striker Gerd Muller is third with 14 goals in 13 matches. He won the prized Golden Boot in his very first World Cup and helped his national side lift the trophy four years later in 1974.
#4 Just Fontaine - 13 goals
France’s Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals scored at a single tournament, with 13 goals in 1958 and is fourth on the all-time list.
#5 Pele- 12 goals
In fifth place is Brazil's record goalscorer Pele, with 12 goals in 14 matches.
Others who are among the top goalscorers in FIFA World Cup history are Jurgen Klinsmann, Sandor Kocsis, Teofilo Cubillas, Grzegorz Lato, Thomas Muller, Helmut Rahn, Gabriel Batistuta and Gary Lineker.
Frequently asked questions:
1) Who has scored the most number of goals in FIFA World Cup?
Miroslav Klose has scored 16 goals in 24 matches and holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history.
2) Who has scored the most number of goals in a single FIFA World Cup?
The record is held by Frenchman Just Fontaine. He scored 13 goals in 6 appearances at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.
