World Cup qualifiers: Top goalscorers in history [Full list]

FIFA have published the list of the World Cup qualifiers all-time top goalscorers in history amid the ongoing qualifying series for 2026 World Cup.

In the list, Guatemala legend Carlos Ruiz, is the top scorer in the history of the World Cup qualifiers with 39 goals from 47 appearances for his country.

He is ahead of the likes of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the list.

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