The race for the Golden Boot at the AFF Championship 2026 is heating up as the tournament records 35 goals across its opening eight matches, according to official tournament data. Malaysia’s naturalized forward Paulo Josue, Vietnam’s Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Indonesia’s striker Mitchell Baker currently share the top of the scoring charts with three goals each.
Paulo Josue Leads Malaysia’s Goalscoring Surge
Malaysia climbed to the top of the scoring conversation following a 4-0 victory against Laos at Kuala Lumpur Stadium, according to match reports. Paulo Josue, Endrick, and Wan Kuzain secured the goals for Harimau Malaya, alongside an own goal from Laos Viengxay Sydavong. According to tournament statistics, that performance pushed Josue into a three-way tie for the tournament lead. Josue previously netted a brace during Malaysia’s opening match against Myanmar.
Nguyen Dinh Bac and Mitchell Baker Match the Early Pace
Joining Josue at the summit are Nguyen Dinh Bac of Vietnam and Indonesia’s Mitchell Baker, both of whom opened their campaigns with hat-tricks, according to tournament records. Dinh Bac scored three times to fuel Vietnam’s 7-0 rout of Timor Leste. Baker delivered an identical three-goal performance to lead Indonesia past Cambodia in a 5-1 victory. Both players hold three goals heading into the next round of fixtures.
Did you know?
The AFF Championship 2026 has averaged 4.38 goals per match across its first eight fixtures, showcasing a high-scoring start to the regional tournament according to official match data.
Upcoming Fixtures in the AFF Championship 2026
The race for the tournament scoring lead will face its next test when Indonesia and Vietnam return to the pitch for their second matchday fixtures, according to the official tournament schedule. Indonesia is set to face Timor Leste, while Vietnam will square off against Singapore. These upcoming matches give players like Baker and Dinh Bac opportunities to add to their tallies before the group stage concludes.
AFF Championship 2026 Top Scorers At A Glance
- 3 Goals: Paulo Josue (Malaysia), Mitchell Baker (Indonesia), Nguyen Dinh Bac (Vietnam)
- 2 Goals: Than Paing (Myanmar), Ilhan Fandi (Singapura), Kakana Khamyok (Thailand), Hendrio da Silva (Vietnam)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who shares the lead for the AFF Championship 2026 top scorer award?
According to tournament data, Paulo Josue of Malaysia, Mitchell Baker of Indonesia, and Nguyen Dinh Bac of Vietnam share the top spot with three goals each.
How many total goals have been scored in the tournament so far?
A total of 35 goals have been scored across the first eight matches, maintaining a scoring average of 4.38 goals per game.
When do Indonesia and Vietnam play their next matches?
According to the tournament calendar, Indonesia and Vietnam play their second matchday fixtures on Friday, facing Timor Leste and Singapore respectively.
Stay Updated on Regional Football
Drop a comment below with your prediction for who will claim the Golden Boot, or explore our latest coverage of regional tournaments.
Keep reading