As the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals draw to a close, it's time to update our rankings of the top 50 players. The list is informed by The Athletic's player ratings model, which provides an objective assessment of each player's contribution in a match. With the tournament reaching its climax, let's take a look at the players who have shone through and those who have fallen short.
The Top 10: Unstoppable Stars
- Lionel Messi (Argentina/Inter Miami) - Despite signs of fatigue, Messi remains Argentina's best player and created the opening goal. Does he have enough left in the tank to hold on to top spot?
- Kylian Mbappe (France/Real Madrid) - Mbappe seemingly cannot be denied at this World Cup. His curler around Issa Diop was sublime and broke Morocco's resistance.
- Jude Bellingham (England/Real Madrid) - Four goals in his last two knockout matches have tied Bellingham with Kane in the World Cup top-scorers chart. He is the primary reason England are in the semi-finals.
- Harry Kane (England/Bayern Munich) - Kane remains the smart, positional fluid fulcrum through and around which most of England's best attacks flow.
- Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City) - Haaland ran out of steam, but his remarkable feats and joyful swagger at this World Cup will live long in the memory.
- Michael Olise (France/Bayern Munich) - Olise is still waiting for his first World Cup goal, but France's overpowered attack doesn't need him to score. His creation is enough.
- Ousmane Dembele (France/Paris Saint-Germain) - Dembele scored his fifth goal of the World Cup to seal France's victory over Morocco. His scoring has come in spurts, but he is looking more comfortable in his supporting role.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain) - Hakimi had his most ineffective game against France, unable to carry his customary attacking threat.
- Vinicius Jr (Brazil/Real Madrid) - Vini Jr was probably the Brazilian least deserving of elimination against Norway. He goes home with his head held high.
- Aymeric Laporte (Spain/Athletic Club) - Spain's formidable defence was breached, but Laporte kept a cool head and neutralised the danger.
The Middle 20: Solid Performers
- Pau Cubarsi (Spain/Barcelona) - Cubarsi set up Spain's winner by uncorking a long-range shot. This was another good overall performance.
- Dayot Upamecano (France/Bayern Munich) - Upamecano strengthened his claim to be France's best defender with another assured display.
- William Saliba (France/Arsenal) - Saliba has been every bit as good as Upamecano, and only ranks behind him by virtue of missing one group game.
- Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona) - Yamal has carried a constant threat and was the focal point of much of Spain's attacking play.
- Ismael Saibari (Morocco/Bayern Munich) - Saibari had a fantastic World Cup at the tip of Morocco's attack.
- Diogo Costa (Portugal/Porto) - The best goalkeeper in the tournament, Costa made a series of excellent saves against Spain.
- Julian Quinones (Mexico/Al Qadsiah) - Quinones took his World Cup goal tally to four by lashing a loose ball into the roof of the net.
- Rodri (Spain/Manchester City) - Rodri has looked closer to his 2024 Ballon d'Or-winning best at this World Cup.
- Elliot Anderson (England/Manchester City) - Anderson played three different midfield roles against Norway and held the fort in the middle of the pitch.
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain/Real Sociedad) - Oyarzabal has struggled to find the same opportunities to be decisive in the knockout rounds.
The Bottom 20: Struggling Stars
- Declan Rice (England/Arsenal) - Rice did well to even make it onto the field against Norway, given that he had been sick for most of the three days before the game.
- Leandro Trossard (Belgium/Arsenal) - Trossard was arguably Belgium's best performer against the USMNT, but he was unable to do anything significant to trouble the Spanish defence.
- Anthony Gordon (England/Barcelona) - Gordon continues his rise after making another positive impact for England against Norway.
- Roberto Alvarado (Mexico/Guadalajara) - Alvarado contributed to the waves of Mexican attacks with his tidy left-footed distribution.
- Pedri (Spain/Barcelona) - Spain's midfield continues to strangle opponents with possession, but Pedri did not even start against Belgium.
- Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil/Newcastle) - Guimaraes was Brazil's best midfielder at the tournament, though not as much as it used to.
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal/Crystal Palace) - Sarr's huge contribution to Senegal's showing still merits consideration here in the 20s.
- Folarin Balogun (United States/Monaco) - Balogun's personal World Cup ended with a relative whimper against Belgium.
- Brahim Diaz (Morocco/Real Madrid) - Saibari's absence may have limited Diaz's creativity against France.
- Pedro Porro (Spain/Tottenham) - Porro continues to provide vital attacking thrust down the right flank for Spain.
- Luis Diaz (Colombia/Bayern Munich) - Diaz could not provide the cutting edge that Colombia so desperately needed in their last-16 tie.
- Andreas Schjelderup (Norway/Benfica) - Schjelderup's cross/shot to give Norway the lead against England was undeniably spectacular.
- Lisandro Martinez (Argentina/Manchester United) - Martinez has been Argentina's second-best performer and second-most important player after Messi.
- Desire Doue (France/Paris Saint-Germain) - Doue appears to have edged ahead of PSG teammate Bradley Barcola in the last two matches.
- Marc Cucurella (Spain/Real Madrid) - Cucurella's clever off-ball movement and well-timed forward runs remain very important to Spain's success.
- Gregor Kobel (Switzerland/Borussia Dortmund) - Kobel could do nothing about any of Argentina's goals, but he was a significant reason why Switzerland were able to hold out for so long.
- Martin Odegaard (Norway/Arsenal) - Odegaard's composure and leadership on the ball enabled Norway to control possession for long stretches.
- Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium/Atalanta) - De Ketelaere made his aerial ability count against Spain just as he had against USMNT.
- Adrien Rabiot (France/Milan) - Rabiot has been the most consistent presence doing the midfield dirty work behind France's vaunted front four.
- Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina/Liverpool) - After a season of struggle for Liverpool, Mac Allister appears to be rediscovering his mojo for Argentina.
- Mikel Merino (Spain/Arsenal) - Merino has played just 136 minutes across six matches, but two late winners have strengthened his status as Spain's closer.
- Bukayo Saka (England/Arsenal) - Saka continues to be impactful in a reduced role for England.
- Youri Tielemans (Belgium/Aston Villa) - Tielemans still enjoyed an impressive and memorable World Cup as Belgium's captain.
- Joshua Kimmich (Germany/Bayern Munich) - Kimmich was Germany's best performer, but it ultimately counted for little.
- Davinson Sanchez (Colombia/Galatasaray) - Sanchez helped keep out a relatively limited Swiss attack to ensure that Colombia made it to penalties.
- Enzo Fernandez (Argentina/Chelsea) - There are fewer opportunities for Fernandez to snatch the limelight in his deeper Argentina role.
- Florian Wirtz (Germany/Liverpool) - Wirtz sticks around in the top 50 as the most reliable source of creation for a Germany attack.
- Bradley Barcola (France/Paris Saint-Germain) - Barcola slips after losing his starting spot on France's left flank to Doue.
- Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast/RB Leipzig) - Diomande's performances with Ivory Coast have faded a little as the tournament progresses.
- Julian Alvarez (Argentina/Atletico Madrid) - Alvarez makes his first appearance in this ranking since the pre-tournament edition. Argentina will need more of it if they are to retain their crown.
