Top 100 Players In The 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ranked

[Jahkeele]

The best players in the world will be on display this summer at the 2026 World Cup. So, let's rank of the world's premier sporting event, our on-air experts Alexi Lalas https://www.mexicosoccerstore.com/collections/erik-lira-jersey, Maurice Edu and Stu Holden and 50 members of our production staff ranked the 100 best stars who will likely feature at this summer's World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and week, we released Nos. 100-76, which included notable stars like USA forward Christian Pulisic, South Korea's Son Heung-min and Mexico's Ral Jimnez. This week, we keep the countdown going with Nos. 75-51 with appearances such USA midfielder Weston McKennie and several stars from heavyweights Spain, France and TO: 100-76 | 75-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1 Without further ado, let's get into it!2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 100-76 Estupinan | Defender | Ecuador Age: 28National team appearances: 52Club team: AC Milan Estupinan thrived in the Premier League for three seasons with Brighton before making a move to AC Milan last summer. He is one of the impressive talents that make Ecuador a potential sleeper this summer. Isak | Forward | Sweden Age: 26National team appearances: 56Club team: Liverpool Isak scored 52 goals in his last two seasons at Newcastle before making a big-money move to Liverpool last summer. Injuries have limited him to just four goals and 21 games this season, but he is a constant threat to score whenever he's on the pitch. Min-jae | Defender | South Korea Age: 29National team appearances: 77Club team: Bayern Munich Kim won Serie A with Napoli in 2023 before making a big move to Bayern Munich. He hasn't established himself as a first-choice player for the German giants, but he will be a pillar in the Korean defense this summer. Barcola | Forward | France Age: 23National team appearances: 18Club team: Paris Saint-Germain Barcola is one of the hugely talented French attacking players who will be vying for a starting spot. At 22 years old, Barcola is one of the best young wingers in the world and plays at PSG, which won last season's UEFA Champions League. Martnez | Defender | Argentina Age: 28National team appearances: 26Club team: Manchester United Martinez would start at center back for most teams in this tournament, but he's likely going to start as the third option behind Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, who started during Argentina's winning run in 2022. He can fill in at left back, as well, and will play a role somehow for the reigning champions. Foden | Forward | England Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club team: Manchester City Foden was the Premier League Player of the Season in 2023-24, but he has not built off that honor. At 25 years old, he is yet to find his footing and establish a spot in the England team. Mitoma | Forward | Japan Age: 28National team appearances: 31Club team: Brighton Mitoma is an exciting winger who broke out two years ago for Brighton. He scored the winning goal for Japan back on March 31 in a friendly against England and will be the key player in attack for his country this summer. Thuram | Forward | France Age: 28National team appearances: 33Club team: Inter Milan Kylian Mbapp will likely lead France's attack at the start of the tournament, but Thuram is a very good alternative. Son of former France star Lilian Thuram, Marcus has scored at least 12 Serie A goals in each of his first three seasons at Inter Milan. Oyarzabal | Forward | Spain Age: 29National team appearances: 52Club team: Real Sociedad A winger by trade for Real Sociedad, Oyarzabal has stepped up as a striker for the national team in the past. The best example was in the Euro 2024 final, when he scored the winning goal for Spain against England.alo Ramos | Forward | Portugal Age: 24National team appearances: 24Club team: Paris Saint-Germain Ramos famously replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal lineup for a Round of 16 game against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup and scored a hat trick. Ronaldo will likely start the tournament up front for Portugal, but Ramos is one of the best backup strikers you'll see this summer. l Jimenez | Forward | Mexico Age: 34National team appearances: 125Club team: Fulham Jimenez is a fixture in the Fulham starting lineup and will be the main man for Mexico this summer. With 44 goals for El Tri, he's two goals behind former striker Jared Borgetti for second most all time. Yldz | Forward | Trkiye Age: 20National team appearances: 28Club team: Juventus Yldz broke into the Juventus lineup three years ago and quickly became a focal point of the team's attack. At 20 years old, he has already made 28 appearances for Trkiye. Eze | Forward | England Age: 27National team appearances: 16Club team: Arsenal Eze made a huge move to Arsenal last summer and immediately became a big part of Mikel Arteta's squad. He normally plays an attacking role, but he could push for the spot in England's midfield that is usually occupied by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. Merino | Midfielder | Spain Age: 29National team appearances: 41Club team: Arsenal Merino is unlikely to start for Spain, but he'll still probably play a big role. He scored eight goals in 10 appearances last year for the reigning European champions. A midfielder by trade Ral Jimnez Jersey, Merino has also played as a striker for both club and country. | Midfielder | Brazil Age: 34National team appearances: 84Club team: Manchester United Casemiro is a four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, but he hasn't maintained his high level of quality since moving to Manchester United in 2022. His former Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is now in charge of Brazil and brought the midfielder back to the national team last year. n Ruiz | Midfielder | Spain Age: 30National team appearances: 41Club team: Paris Saint-Germain Ruiz was part of PSG's dominant midfield trio last year that powered the team's Champions League victory. Spain's midfield is loaded with talent, so it won't be as easy for him to find a spot in the starting lineup. Guhi | Defender | England Age: 25National team appearances: 27Club team: Manchester City Guehi was the captain for Crystal Palace last summer when the South London club won the FA Cup. He moved to Manchester City earlier this year and has immediately become a fixture in the reigning Premier League champion's defense. Frimpong | Defender | Netherlands Age: 25National team appearances: 15Club team: Liverpool Frimpong is listed as a defender, but he's as important to the Dutch attack as he is to its defense. He has impressive pace and is a constant threat down the right wing when he's on the pitch. James | Defender | England Age: 26National team appearances: 22Club team: Chelsea James will be an important player for England this summer with versatility to play either right back or midfield. Staying healthy has been James' problem at Chelsea, although he has played in more than two dozen games in the Premier League this season. Heung-min | Forward | South Korea Age: 33National team appearances: 143Club team: LAFC Son is in the middle of his first full season in Los Angeles after a decade in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. He's South Korea's all-time leader in national team appearances. Kounde | Defender | France Age: 27National team appearances: 46Club team: Barcelona Kounde will likely start at right back for the French, who are among the favorites this summer. He has made at least 40 appearances in each of the last four seasons for Barcelona. Pulisic | Forward | United States Age: 27National team appearances: 84Club team: AC Milan "Captain America" will have all eyes on him this summer. At 27 years old, Pulisic has already made 84 appearances for the U.S. national team. His 32 goals are 25 behind Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Pulisic has not scored for the U.S. since November 2024, so he'll need to regain his form if the Americans want to make a run into the knockout round. Gler | Forward | Trkiye Age: 21National team appearances: 28Club team: Real Madrid Gler is finishing up his third season at Real Madrid and has emerged as a key player in the squad. He will be the main man for Trkiye for years to come, starting with this summer's World Cup. Gykeres | Forward | Sweden Age: 27National team appearances: 32Club team: Arsenal Gykeres scored a memorable hat trick against Poland in the UEFA World Cup playoffs in March, including one in the 87th minute to seal a 3-2 win. He moved to Arsenal last summer and has 18 goals in all competitions. Olmo | Forward | Spain Age: 27National team appearances: 48Club team: Barcelona Olmo emerged as a key player for Spain at Euro 2024. He scored three goals finishing in a six-way tie for the Golden Boot including one in the quarterfinal and semifinal against Germany and France, respectively.2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 75-51 o Cancelo | Defender | Portugal Age: 31National team appearances: 66Club team: Barcelona, on loan from Al-HilalFew defenders will be important attackers for their countries this summer, but Cancelo is one of them. The right back has impressive pace that makes him a threat down the wing. He has 12 goals in 66 appearances for Portugal, which is a very good rate for a defender. Martinelli | Forward | Brazil Age: 24National team appearances: 22Club team: Arsenal Martinelli will be a key player for Brazil this summer. He has struggled to establish a starting spot on the left wing because of Vincius Jnior and Rodrygo, but his pace means he will be a key contributor this summer. He only has one Premier League goal for Arsenal this season, so he isn't in the best form right now. McKennie | Midfielder | United States Age: 27National team appearances: 64Club team: Juventus McKennie is the highest-rated American player on this list, having established himself as a fixture in Juventus' lineup. He has played at least 34 games in Italy's Serie A in each of the last three seasons and has been all over the field in defense at fullback, in midfield and as an attacker. McKennie can do it all, which the United States may need him to do this summer if it makes a run through the knockout stages. If the Americans are playing, expect to see a lot of McKennie. Mac Allister | Midfielder | Argentina Age: 27National team appearances: 44Club team: Liverpool Mac Allister will be a key presence in the Argentina midfield this summer, as he was in 2022 en route to World Cup glory. Since then Obed Vargas Jersey, he moved to Liverpool and won the Premier League last season. Mac Allister is capable of popping up and scoring a huge goal while also dictating the game on the ball. He's one of the best center midfielders in the world. Leao | Forward | Portugal Age: 26National team appearances: 43Club team: AC Milan When Leao is fit and in form, few attackers in the world are better. Consistency has been the issue for the Portugal attacker, who has only scored five goals in 43 games for the national team. If he's in form, Leao could be an X-factor capable of pushing Portugal over the top this summer. la Sarr | Forward | Senegal Age: 28National team appearances: 82Club team: Crystal Palace Sarr played all 38 games in the Premier League for Crystal Palace last season, during which the South London club also won the FA Cup. Sarr has made 83 appearances for Senegal and will be one of the go-to guys for his country this summer, alongside teammate Sadio Man. Maignan | Goalkeeper | France Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos via Getty Images) Age: 30National team appearances: 38Club team: AC Milan Hugo Lloris retired from international play after the 2022 World Cup, and Maignan stepped in and hasn't given the job up. Maignan is one of the best shot-stopping goalkeepers in the world and is firmly entrenched as AC Milan's starter. He will be one of the best last lines of defense for a French squad that will be one of the most talented in World Cup history.o Pedro | Forward | Brazil Age: 24National team appearances: 8Club team: Chelsea Brazil has been looking for a definitive No. 9 in its lineup for years, and Pedro might be the answer. After two impressive seasons at Brighton, he has 14 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season. He'll likely be the focal point of Brazil's attack this summer, which puts a lot on his shoulders for the perennial contender. Saliba | Defender | France Age: 25National team appearances: 31Club team: Arsenal Since beginning his Arsenal career in 2022, Saliba has become one of the best defenders in the world. He's an impressive athlete who was part of the French team that made it to the 2022 World Cup final. He'll be one of the first names on the team sheet for Les Bleus this summer. | Defender | Brazil Age: 31National team appearances: 104Club team: Paris Saint-Germain At 31 years old, Marquinhos has already played 104 times for his country. He has been widely considered one of the best defenders in the world for the past decade, having played more than 500 games for PSG since arriving in 2013. The 31-year-old is still playing at a high level and will be wearing the captain's armband for Brazil this summer. Cubarsi | Defender | Spain Age: 19National team appearances: 11Club team: Barcelona Cubarsi turned 19 in January and has already played 125 times for Barcelona. He's less established for Spain Brian Gutirrez Jersey, having only made 11 appearances for the national team. There is a lot of competition for spots in the Spanish defense, and it would not surprise anyone if Cubarsi was in the lineup for the team's World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. | Goalkeeper | Brazil Age: 33National team appearances: 76Club team: Liverpool Part of what makes Alisson one of the best goalkeepers in the world is his ability with his feet. He may be the best passer at his position in world soccer. His problem in past years has been staying on the pitch, as he's missed at least 10 Premier League games in each of the last three seasons. When he's between the posts, though, he's still one of the world's best for both club and country. Konate | Defender | France Age: 26National team appearances: 27Club team: Liverpool Konate ranks just higher than Saliba, who he'll likely partner in the middle of the French defense this summer. He's one of the most physically imposing defenders in the world at 6-foot-4, and he also has the pace to stay with any attacker in the tournament.ko Gvardiol | Defender | Croatia Age: 24National team appearances: 46Club team: Manchester City Gvardiol is the most expensive defender in soccer history, having cost Manchester City $105 million back in 2023. He has been injured for much of this season, but he's one of the best passing defenders in the world. While Luka Modri runs the Croatian midfield, Gvardiol will command the defense. Gakpo | Forward | Netherlands Age: 26National team appearances: 48Club team: Liverpool Gakpo will be the key player in the Netherlands' attack this summer, especially with news that his Oranje teammate Xavi Simons tore his ACL late in the season for Tottenham. Gakpo has emerged as a key playmaker for Liverpool and can play anywhere in attack. He'll need to be at his best wherever he plays if the Dutch are going to contend this summer. Lopez | Midfielder | Spain Age: 22National team appearances: 7Club team: Barcelona Lopez is the perfect example of the impressive depth that Spain has in midfield. He has made more than 120 appearances for Barcelona over the past three seasons, but he might not come close to cracking the starting lineup. Lopez is more than capable of scoring and creating goals and will be a key player for Spain this summer, regardless of whether he starts games. Salah | Forward | Egypt Age: 33National team appearances: 113Club team: Liverpool Salah is lower on this list than he would have a couple of years ago. He is no longer in the conversation as one of the best players in the world, but he'll still be the go-to guy for Egypt this summer. Salah's post-World Cup future is up in the air, as he will be leaving Liverpool, but he's Egypt's main hope to make any noise this summer. Gravenberch | Midfielder | Netherlands Age: 23National team appearances: 25Club team: Liverpool Gravenberch moved to Liverpool in 2023 after an uneventful season at Bayern Munich, and he has established himself as an elite defensive midfielder. He was a key player last season when Liverpool won the Premier League and has remained a fixture in the Reds' midfield. McTominay | Midfielder | Scotland Age: 29National team appearances: 69Club team: Napoli McTominay went from Manchester United outcast to Napoli legend in his first season in Italy. He was the Serie A Player of the Season with Napoli winning the league in 2025. McTominay has also scored big goals for his country and will be Scotland's key man in the middle this summer. If the Scots score a big goal or get a big result, chances are McTominay will be a big reason why. Pacho | Defender | Ecuador Age: 24National team appearances: 34Club team: Paris Saint-Germain Pacho broke out last season for PSG, cementing his spot in the middle of the French champions' defense. From there, he starred en route to Champions League glory. He'll partner Arsenal's Piero Hincape in the middle of Ecuador's back four, which on paper might be one of the stronger units in the field. degaard | Midfielder | Norway Age: 27National team appearances: 67Club team: Arsenal Two years ago, degaard was considered one of the top play-making midfielders in the world. His last two seasons at Arsenal have been ravaged by injuries, though, so he hasn't been able to regain that form. He'll be the key playmaker for Norway this summer with the goal of feeding strikers Erling Haaland and Alexander Srloth. Fernandez | Midfielder | Argentina Age: 25National team appearances: 40Club team: Chelsea Fernandez broke out during Argentina's run to World Cup glory in 2022 and made a move to Chelsea one month after lifting the trophy. He's an all-action midfielder who can cover every blade of grass and is capable of popping up with a big goal when necessary. He'll be the key man in Argentina's midfield this summer. Williams | Forward | Spain Age: 23National team appearances: 30Club team: Athletic Club Bilbao Williams was a star during Spain's run two years ago at the Euros, but he hasn't ascended at the club level since then. He has limitless potential and will be a key attacking option for Spain this summer. Whether he's a starter or is doing so off the bench remains to be seen. Zubimendi | Midfielder | Spain Age: 27National team appearances: 25Club team: Arsenal When Rodri got hurt in the first half of the Euro 2024 final against England, Zubimendi stepped in at halftime and helped lead Spain to victory. If healthy, Rodri is likely to start over Zubimendi https://www.mexicosoccerstore.com/collections/carlos-rodriguez-jersey, but the Arsenal midfielder provides plenty of stability off the bench when necessary.