LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Cristiano Ronaldo sits atop the all-time FIFA World Cup qualifying goalscoring chart with 41 goals, making him the most prolific scorer in the history of the competition’s qualification phase.
The Portuguese superstar leads a list that features some of football’s greatest names, including Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Ali Daei.
All-Time FIFA World Cup Qualifying Goals Ranking
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) — 41 Goals
- Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala) — 39 Goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 36 Goals
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland) — 35 Goals
- Ali Daei (Iran) — 35 Goals
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The list highlights the remarkable longevity and consistency of these forwards, who have delivered on football’s biggest qualifying stage across multiple World Cup cycles.
Ronaldo’s record places him ahead of former Guatemala captain Carlos Ruiz, whose 39-goal tally stood as the benchmark for several years.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle, Norway striker Erling Haaland has emerged as the leading scorer worldwide with 16 goals, underlining his growing reputation as one of the most lethal finishers in international football.
Meanwhile, established stars such as Ronaldo, Messi and Lewandowski continue to add to their legacies as the race to the 2026 tournament reaches its climax.
