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