Expected goals measure the quality of the chances a player gets, with every shot scored between 0 and 1 by how often shots like it are converted. A player's xG is those values added up, so the gap between the goals they scored and their xG shows whether they finished better or worse than their chances deserved. Underlying data is supplied by Sportmonks.
Lionel Messi of Argentina had the most xG in the World Cup in 2026, 5.46 from eight appearances, and scored 8 goals from it. Kylian Mbappé was next on 4.97.
Kylian Mbappé of France overperformed xG by more than any other player in the World Cup in 2026, with 10 goals from chances worth 4.97 xG, a gap of 5.03. Ousmane Dembélé was next on 4.87.
Michael Olise of France underperformed xG by more than any other player in the World Cup in 2026, with no goals from chances worth 2.11 xG, a shortfall of 2.11. Enner Valencia was next on 1.58.
Ismaïla Sarr of Senegal had the highest xG per 90 in the World Cup in 2026, 1.11 from 366 minutes across four appearances, the best of anyone past 270 minutes. Erling Haaland was next on 0.81.
Jude Bellingham of England had the most xG of any midfielder in the World Cup in 2026, 3.41 from eight appearances, and scored 7 goals from it. Charles De Ketelaere was next on 1.64.
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco had the most xG of any defender in the World Cup in 2026, 2.06 from six appearances, and scored 1 goal from it. Maxim De Cuyper was next on 1.12.
Yes. World Cup players scored 296 goals in 2026 from chances worth 265.5 xG, 111% of what they deserved and 30.5 goals to the good.