World Cup qualifying: All-time top goal scorers [complete list]

In the midst of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, FIFA has released the list of the all-time top goal scorers in World Cup qualification history.

Carlos Ruiz, a superstar from Guatemala, has scored 39 goals in 47 games for his nation, making him the highest scorer in the history of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

He ranks higher on the list than players like Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.

List of all-time top goalscorers in the history of the World Cup qualifiers:

Carlos Ruiz – 39 goals in 47 appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo – 38 goals in 48
Lionel Messi – 36 goals in 72
Ali Daei – 35 goals in 51
Robert Lewandowski – 32 goals in 41
Chris Wood – 29 goals in 31
Sardar Azmoun – 29 goals in 41
Luis Suarez – 29 goals in 64
Karim Bagheri – 28 goals in 29
Edin Dzeko – 28 goals in 40
Kazu Miura – 27 goals in 25
Ali Mabkhout – 26 goals in 33
Andriy Shevchenko – 26 goals in 40
Tim Cahill – 25 goals in 37
Carlos Pavon – 25 goals in 37
Mehdi Taremi – 24 goals in 44
Jared Borgetti – 23 goals in 24
Son Heungmin – 23 goals in 47
Marcelo Martins – 22 goals in 64
Paolo Wanchope – 21 goals in 37