Miroslav Klose holds World Cup all-time scoring record with 16 goals
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 9:00 AM
Last updated Jun 10, 2026
Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals accumulated over four tournaments. Just behind him are Ronaldo with 15 goals and Gerd Müller with 14. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are poised to challenge the record, needing three and four goals respectively to tie Klose. Historically, the World Cup has seen a total of 2,720 goals in 964 matches across 22 tournaments. The upcoming tournament will expand to 48 teams, potentially increasing the total goal count.
- •Miroslav Klose scored 16 goals in World Cups.
- •Ronaldo and Gerd Müller follow with 15 and 14 goals.
- •Lionel Messi needs three goals to tie Klose; Mbappé needs four.
- •The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams.
- •The tournament has seen 2,720 goals in 964 matches.
- 9:00 AMYahoo Sports — Who has scored the most goals in World Cup history?
"Who has scored the most goals in World Cup history? Germany's Miroslav Klose leads the way with 16 career goals over four World Cups and 24 matches.
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