Although soccer is a team sport, it is a fact that the importance of those in charge of converting all the good collective work into a reality, into a goal, cannot be overlooked. If this is vital during any match, when playing in a World Cup, such as the upcoming Qatar 2022, this becomes even more essential.
Throughout the 21 editions of the FIFA World Cup, a total of 86 national teams have competed, including those that still exist and those that have disappeared (Yugoslavia, for example). With the exception of five of them who have failed to score a single goal, the rest have had a star scorer in this tournament.
In this story, you will learn about the best scorer in World Cup matches for each of the teams that have qualified for Qatar 2022 so far. Although it should be clarified that these are not necessarily the top scorers in the history of these teams, only the most accurate in World Cup matches.
The Top World Cup scorers of the teams qualified to Qatar 2022 World Cup
So far, 32teams have qualified for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, a list that includes the host country and 31other teams: 4 South American, 5Asian, 5 African, 4of Concacaf, and 13more from the European confederation.
It is worth mentioning that the list below does not include Qatar, since the FIFA World Cup to be held in their country from November 20to December 18, will be the very first edition in which theywill participatesince the birth of their Football Federation in 1970.
Germany – Miroslav Klose – 16 goals
Klose is the holder of a double honor: not only is he Germany’s top scorer in World Cups, he has also scored the most goals in this tournament. He achieved his feat over the course of 4 editions played, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, the last one won by the Mannschaft.
Miroslav Klose, Germany. (Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Denmark – John Dahl Tomasson – 5 goals
It took eight years for the former AC Milan striker to reach this position and break the tie with Preben Elkjaer Larsen. He scored his first four goals in 2002 and the last and decisive one for his personal account in South Africa 2010.
John Dahl Tomasson, Denmark. (John Walton/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Brazil – Ronaldo Nazario – 15 goals
If the Phenomenonis considered a soccer legend, it is largely due to his great performances at the FIFA World Cup. In addition to being a two-time champion of this tournament (USA 1994 and Korea-Japan 2002), he is the second top scorer. This was achieved in 3 editions played (he attendedfour, but did not play a single minute in 1994).
Ronaldo Nazario, Brazil. (Getty Images)
Belgium – Marc Wilmots / Romelu Lukaku – 5 goals
Romelu Lukaku will try to become the Belgian player with the most goals in World Cups. Wilmots, on the other hand, sat on the throne after playing in 3 editions, although he attended 4: Italy 1990, USA 1994, France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002.
Marc Wilmots, Belgium. (Contrast/Behrendt/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
France – Just Fontaine – 13 goals
One single participation in the World Cups was enough for this legend to be the top French scorer in this tournament. Currently, only Kylian Mbappé, due to his still young age, is in line to equal him if he remains among the elite of world soccer. Sweden 1958 was the edition in which Fontaine covered himself with glory.
Just Fontaine, France.(DB/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Croatia – Davor Suker – 6 goals
He was part of the Yugoslavian squad that played in the 1994 World Cup, although he did not play a single minute on the field and it was not until 1998 that he was able to participate in this tournament. Two editions played were enough for him to be the Croatian with the most goals in World Cups. He was scoring champion in France 1998.
Davor Suker, Croacia. (Sportbild/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Spain – David Villa – 9 goals
The former FC Barcelona striker had the honor of being part of the squad that has given Spain its only World Cup, South Africa2010. El Guaje participated in 3 editions of the FIFA World Cup and scored in all of them, to become the best scorer of his country in this tournament.
David Villa, Spain. (Juinen/Getty Images)
Serbia – 4 players-1 goal each
Since splitting from Montenegro to establish itself as a nation, Serbia has participated in only two World Cups, in 2010 and 2018. None of its players has been able to score on more than one occasion. Its top scorers, therefore, are:Marko Pantelic, Milan Jovanovic (both in South Africa 2010), Aleksandr Mitrovic, and Aleksandr Kolarov (both in Russia 2018).
Aleksandar Kolarov, Serbia. (Simon Hofmann – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
England – Gary Lineker – 10 goals
Lineker was the top scorer in the FIFA World Cup Mexico 1986, and then, hehad another good performance in Italy 1990. This is how the current TV commentator established himself as England’s top scorer in this tournament ahead of legends such as Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, and Michael Owen.
Gary Lineker, England. (Mark Leech/Getty Images)
Switzerland – Josef Hügi – 6 goals
One of the architects of Switzerland’s last great participation in World Cups was Sepp Hügi, who in the edition held in his country was the second-highest scorer of the tournament, behind the Hungarian phenomenon Sandor Kocsis who scored 11 goals. This wasenough to remain as Switzerland’s top scorer in World Cups.
A picture of the defeat Switzerland suffered against Austria in 1954 World Cup. (Getty Images)
Netherlands – Johnny Rep – 7 goals
The most memorable Dutch team in history is the one from the 1970s, the same one that finished runner-up in two consecutive World Cups (1974 and 1978). The great scorer of that squad is also Holland’s top scorer in World Cups, the great Johny Rep.
Johny Rep, Netherlands. (S&G/PA Images via Getty Images)
Argentina – Gabriel Batistuta – 10 goals
To rank above Guillermo Stabile, Mario Kempes, Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi in the World Cup top scorerof Argentina you have to be a real crack. Gabriel Omar Batistuta really was: a true predator of the opponent’s area. Batigol played in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 editions and scored in all of them.
Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. (Mark Leech/Getty Images)
Iran – 8 players – 1 goal
Of the 9 goals scored by Iran in its five World Cup appearances so far, 8 have been scored by its players (the other was an own goal). What is peculiar is that no Iranian has been able to score more than once in World Cups. The last to score was AEK Athens striker Karim Ansarifard in Russia 2018 (a late goal at the 93rd minute).
Karim Ansarifard, Iran. (Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
South Korea – 3 players – 3 goals
The Tigers of Asia have a three-way tie for first place among the top scorers in World Cups. The very first to achieve this wasJung Hwan Ahn (2002, 2006, 2010). Then former Manchester United player Ji Sung Park accomplished the same feat(2002, 2006, and 2010). Finally, one of the most talented Korean players ever, Heung Min Son joined them (2014 and2018). The Tottenham Hotspur striker could break this draw on Qatar 2022.
Heung Min Son, South Korea.(Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Japan – Keisuke Honda – 4 goals
Half of Japan’sparticipations in the FIFA World Cup were with Keisuke Honda on the pitch. The former AC Milan player and current FK Suduva (Lithuania) star has played 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions, in which he scored 4 goals to become the top scorer of his country in this tournament.
Keisuke Honda, Japan National Team. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia -Sami Al Jaber – 3 goals
One of Saudi Arabia’s soccer legends has the honor of being its top scorer in World Cups. Al Jaber scoredin three of the four editions he played in (USA 1994, France 1998, Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006). He is also the second all-time top scorer of the Green Falcons.
Sami Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia National Team,(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Uruguay – Oscar Miguez – 8 goals
One of the heroes of the 1950 Maracanazo, which gave Uruguay its second World Cup, he is also its top scorer in this tournament. Oscar Miguez scored 5 goals in that edition and 3 more in Switzerland 1954 to take sole possession of the throne.
Oscar Miguez during a game in Switzerland 1954. (Allsport/Hulton/Getty Images)
Ecuador – 2 players – 3 goals
Ecuador’s participation in the World Cup has been limited to just three editions, but it has managed to have two players as its top scorers in this tournament. Agustín Delgado is one of them, besides being the first Ecuadorian to score in World Cups. He is accompanied by Enner Valencia, who scored the same number of goals as Delgado but in only one edition, Brazil 2014.
Agustín Delgado scoring a goal in Germany 2006. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Canada – vacant
Canada has played in only one edition of the World Cup, Mexico 1986. It played three matches, losing to France, Hungary, and the former USSR. It was unable to score a single goal, so in Qatar 2022, the first Canadian to score one will become one of his country’s historic players.
Canada National Team. (Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)
Ghana -Asamoah Gyan – 6 goals
Ghana’s all-time leading scorer in World Cups is still active and although he announced his retirement from the National Team in May 2019, a few days later he withdrew, so he could be considered for the squad that will play in Qatar 2022. Gyan scored in the three World Cups in which he played.
Asamoah Gyan, Ghana National Team. (Marius Becker/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Senegal – Papa Bouba Diop – 3 goals
Senegal played in the World Cup for the first time in its history in Korea-Japan 2002. In that tournament, the team’s star player was Papa Boup Diop, who scored three goals to become his team’s top scorer in the tournament. Sadly, in 2020, Diop died in Paris due to a chronic degenerative disease.
Papa Bouba Diop, Senegal National Team. Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Portugal – Eusebio – 9 goals
Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese soccer had a different face and a different name: Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, known simply as Eusebio. This phenomenal striker led his national team to third place at England 1966, a tournament in which he scored 9 goals in 6 games played.
Eusebio Ferreira, Portugal National Team. (Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Poland – Grzegorz Lato – 10 goals
While the world is currently dazzled by the displays of Robert Lewandowski, Poland’s greatest-ever player is Grzegorz Lato, who led his nation to two third-place finishes in the FIFA World Cup, in 1974 and 1982, thanks to his goalscoring prowess.
Grzegorz Lato, Poland National Team. (Peter Robinson – PA Images via Getty Images)
Morocco – 3 players -2 goals
Morocco’s history in the World Cup is relatively short. Throughout the five editions in which it has participated, several players have helped its cause with goals. Three of them share the throne as Morocco’s top scorer in World Cups: Salaheddine Bassir (1998), Abdeljalil Hadda (1998), and Abdelrazzak Khairi (1986).
Salaheddine Bassir, Morocco National Team. (Mark Leech/Getty Images)
Tunisia -Wahbi Khazri – 2 goals
Tunisia has so far 5 World Cup participations: Argentina 1978, France 1998, Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006, and Russia 2018. It was only in this last one that one of its players became the top scorer in World Cups, Wahbi Khazri, who could increase his tallyin Qatar 2022.
Wahbi Khazri, Tunisia National Team.(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Cameroon – Roger Milla – 5 goals
Cameroon’s best participation in World Cups so far was at Italy 1990, when it reached the Quarter Finals.In that edition, one player emerged as the team’s star player, Roger Milla, who would later become the oldest player to score in a World Cup with his goal against Russia in USA 1994 at the age of 42.
Roger Milla, Cameroon National Team. (Mark Leech/Getty Images)
Mexico – Two players – 4 goals
El Tri is not a country that scores too many goals in World Cups, on average, less than one goal per match played. Then every one of its goals is truly celebrated by its people. In France 1998, Luis Hernandez became the Mexican with the most goals scored in one edition (4). It was tied by Javier Hernandez, Chicharito, in Russia 2018, nevertheless, Javier needed 3 editions to achieve that tally.
Luis Hernandez, Mexico National Team. (Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
The United States – Landon Donovan – 5 goals
Bert Patenaude is the American with the most goals scored in a single World Cup, with his four goals at Uruguay 1930. However, Landon Donovan isthe top scorer of the USMNT in this tournament. The Captain Americaaccomplished this feat in three editions: Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006 (in which he did not score), and South Africa 2010.
Landon Donovan, USMNT. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Wales – Ivor Allchurch – 2 goals
This will be the second participation in a World Cup in the history of the Welsh National Team. Ivor Allchurch is the Welsh player with more goals scored in World Cups. The former striker scored two goals in the 1958 World Cup.
Ivor Allchurch / Don Morley/Allsport/Getty Images
Australia – Tim Cahill – 5 goals
Tim Cahill recently retired from football activity, so he won’t be part of another World Cup edition. However, he holds the record of the Australian player with most goals scored with five. He did scored twice at the 2006 World Cup and 2014 World Cup and once at the 2010 World Cup.
Costa Rica – Two players
Qatar 2022 will be the sixth World Cup in which Costa Rica will participate, having participated in the 1990, 2002, 2006, 2014 and 2018 editions. Thus, the Ticos have a couple of players who hold the title of top scorers in this tournament. The historic Paulo Cesar Wanchope and Ronald Gomez, who scored 3 goals each between the Korea-Japan and Germany editions.
Paulo Cesar Wanchope, Costa Rica National Team. (Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
