{"id":569752,"date":"2026-03-30T01:23:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/569752\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T01:23:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:23:14","slug":"the-15-best-players-who-will-be-at-the-2026-world-cup-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/569752\/","title":{"rendered":"The 15 Best Players Who Will Be At the 2026 World Cup\u2014Ranked"},"content":{"rendered":"

For anyone getting caught up in who won\u2019t be taking center stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>, it\u2019s worth reminding yourself that there are going to be some pretty special soccer players lighting up the tournament this summer. <\/p>\n

The World Cup is a legacy-shaping event like no other in the sport, with the extent of one\u2019s greatness defined by what they achieve for the national teams when the world is watching. <\/p>\n

Despite all that he\u2019d achieved and the number of folk he\u2019d entranced for almost two decades, it took an astounding campaign in Qatar for Lionel Messi to be almost universally recognized as soccer\u2019s greatest ever player. The World Cup<\/a> holds serious weight.<\/p>\n

While so many have lamented the supposed decline of outstanding individuals in modern times, a litany of superstars will be on show in North America, and we\u2019ve tried our damnedest to name the best of the bunch. <\/p>\n

Recent form was the decisive factor in our ranking, which is why, spoiler alert, 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or winner Rodri, whose struggled to get up to speed since recovering from an ACL tear, and Mohamed Salah, whose form has nosedived in 2025\u201326, don\u2019t make the cut.<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo? Do us a favor. <\/p>\n

15. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)\"Bruno<\/p>\n

Fernandes has had a superb season at club level. | Eric Verhoeven\/Soccrates \/Getty Images<\/p>\n

While Ronaldo conveniently avoided a suspension that means he\u2019ll be available for the start of the World Cup, this Portugal team is no longer his, even if he\u2019ll be Roberto Mart\u00ednez\u2019s starting striker.<\/p>\n

After back-to-back quarterfinal exits in Qatar and at Euro 2024, Portugal are targeting a deeper run in North America this summer, and the midfield will be key to their success.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, that engine room enters the tournament in excellent form. Bruno Fernandes, who dons the captain\u2019s armband in Ronaldo\u2019s absence, has enjoyed a Premier League<\/a> campaign worthy of earning PFA Player of the Year honors.<\/p>\n

A relentless creator, Fernandes has thrived in the free role gifted to him by Michael Carrick, and Mart\u00ednez would be wise to hand his No. 8 similar positional liberties. <\/p>\n

14. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)\"Achraf<\/p>\n

Hakimi\u2019s Morocco were the neutral\u2019s darlings in Qatar. | Ulrik Pedersen\/NurPhoto\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Morocco has its work cut out if it is to match the historic performance from four years ago. <\/p>\n

The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the semifinals, and Hakimi, with his panenkas and penguins, played a crucial role flying down the right flank.<\/p>\n

The adventurous fullback has gone from strength to strength at club level, and he\u2019d barely be a year out from helping Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League crown when this tournament rolls around. <\/p>\n

Now an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion for the first time<\/a>, albeit controversially, Hakimi is a serial winner who simply won\u2019t allow for underperformance this summer. <\/p>\n

13. Vitinha (Portugal)\"Vitinha\"<\/p>\n

Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s maestro will aim to dazzle in North America. | Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Portugal\u2019s midfield is going to be a serious problem this summer. Not for them, of course, but any side they go up against.<\/p>\n

In what are expected to be stifling North American conditions, Portugal have the capacity to sap the life out of their opponents by simply retaining possession.<\/p>\n

Vitinha has functioned as the wondrous metronome of an all-conquering PSG team, and he\u2019ll operate at the base of Mart\u00ednez\u2019s midfield in tandem with tenacious clubmate Jo\u00e3o Neves. <\/p>\n

When he isn\u2019t making a fool of the most coherent of pressing schemes, Vitinha has a knack for popping up with huge (and often beautifully taken) goals on the edge of the box. <\/p>\n

His talent renders him a potential Golden Ball winner if Portugal enjoy a deep run. <\/p>\n

12. Lionel Messi (Argentina) \"Lionel<\/p>\n

Messi is still playing at an incredibly high level. | Luis ROBAYO\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Many will argue that Lionel Messi will remain the best player in the world until he hangs up his boots and the soccer world mourns. <\/p>\n

That may well be true, but we have to take into account Messi\u2019s drift away from the limelight since he sealed his legacy by leading Argentina\u2019s charge to glory in Qatar.<\/p>\n

Messi proved at last summer\u2019s Club World Cup<\/a> that he can still hang with the best on the globe, and the 38-year-old has continued to make Major League Soccer (MLS) bend to his will over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n

While there have been signs of Argentina evolving beyond the greatest to ever do it, they\u2019ll once again rally around their No. 10 should he decide to compete at a sixth World Cup. <\/p>\n

A final decision hasn\u2019t been made, but Messi has come this far in the latest cycle.<\/p>\n

11. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)\"Thibaut<\/p>\n

Courtois is the world\u2019s best goalkeeper. | Jose Breton\/Pics Action\/NurPhoto\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll give the goalkeepers some love, too. <\/p>\n

The best of the bunch<\/a>, Thibaut Courtois, is back in the international picture, having refused to play under former Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco. <\/p>\n

Now led by Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils, who clung onto their \u2019golden generation\u2019 a World Cup too many in 2022, are aiming to venture into an exciting new dawn spearheaded by a new-look crop of stars. <\/p>\n

However, Courtois remains a constant between the posts. A towering figure who knows his limitations in possession but more than makes up for it elsewhere, Courtois has almost single-handedly claimed major honors for Real Madrid, and he\u2019ll now hope to manifest his goalkeeping genius on the biggest stage of them all.<\/p>\n

10. Federico Valverde (Uruguay)\"Federico<\/p>\n

Valverde can do absolutely everything. | Jose Breton\/Pics Action\/NurPhoto\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Federico Valverde most likely would\u2019ve been overlooked had Xabi Alonso remained in charge of Real Madrid for any longer. The Uruguayan just never saw eye to eye with the Spaniard, but the arrival of \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa has helped the do-it-all midfielder rediscover his mojo. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s surely no soccer player in the world more complete than Valverde. His all-encompassing nature has been depicted rather stunningly with Arbeloa at the helm.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019s not marking the trickiest of wingers out of games, Valverde is darting in behind defenses to score, and making use of his third and fourth lungs to completely overwhelm opposing midfield engine rooms.<\/p>\n

The Madrid star is a phenomenon, and he\u2019s certainly cut out to thrive under Marcelo Bielsa for the national team. Uruguay have struggled to assert themselves to the world over the past few years, but they boast an impressive new heartbeat in Valverde. <\/p>\n

9. Raphinha (Brazil)\"Raphinha\"<\/p>\n

Raphinha believes he deserves more respect. | Stephen Nadler\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Raphinha believes he was unfairly overlooked in Ballon d\u2019Or voting last year, and the numbers suggest he had a point. <\/p>\n

The Brazilian forward recorded a whopping 60 goal contributions in 57 games across all competitions for a treble-winning Barcelona team, and he\u2019s been similarly productive when fit this season.<\/p>\n

Hansi Flick has gotten the best out of him. He\u2019s not quite as stylish as his contemporaries, but few have been more effective than Raphinha over the past 18 months. <\/p>\n

The aforementioned aesthetics means he hasn\u2019t been able to capture hearts and minds back home, but there\u2019s a sense that the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o merely want to win with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, having last triumphed at the World Cup in 2002. <\/p>\n

Ancelotti will undoubtedly lean on Raphinha\u2019s final third efficiency. <\/p>\n

8. Erling Haaland (Norway)\"Erling<\/p>\n

Norway are competing at their first World Cup since 1998. | Image Photo Agency\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

This may seem surprisingly low for the man many regard as the most feared striker in the world<\/a>, but Haaland has struggled for form this calendar year. <\/p>\n

Nevertheless, an uptick from the Nordic goal machine is seemingly never too far away, and he\u2019ll be absolutely determined to ensure Norway\u2019s maiden World Cup venture of the 21st century is a memorable one. <\/p>\n

The Scandinavian side were as impressive as anyone in qualifying, and Haaland led the way with 16 goals. They\u2019re bound to be the \u2019dark-horses\u2019 of this summer\u2019s tournament, and group-stage matches against France and Senegal mean Haaland and company have the chance to lay down an early marker. <\/p>\n

Norway will hope their talisman up top rediscovers his scoring groove in time for the tournament, because no one has proven more deadly in front of goal over the past four years. <\/p>\n

7. Vinicius Junior (Brazil)\"Vinicius<\/p>\n

Carlo Ancelotti knows how to get the best out of Vini Jr. | FRANCK FIFE\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Vinicius Junior hasn\u2019t quite taken the mantle for the national team, which is perhaps why so many Brazilian supporters are pining for Neymar\u2019s inclusion in this summer\u2019s squad, which would feel a bit Diego Maradona 1994. <\/p>\n

If Ancelotti does opt for sentiment by including the former Santos wunderkind, we can only hope his final World Cup doesn\u2019t end like the aforementioned Argentinian great. <\/p>\n

Anyway, Vini Jr. An undeniable superstar who\u2019s waiting for his big moment with the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o. This World Cup is surely his to grasp. It\u2019s not an outstanding Brazilian crop, and it may take something utterly sublime from the Real Madrid forward for Ancelotti\u2019s side to end their 24-year wait for a sixth global conquest. <\/p>\n

Brazil\u2019s Italian coach has eked the very best out of Vini Jr before, recently describing him as an \u201cextraordinary talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Michael Olise (France)\"Michael<\/p>\n

Olise is a Ballon d\u2019Or contender. | Michael Owens\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

This France generation remains laden with otherworldly personnel, and Michael Olise has grown on the international stage amid his sensational rise with Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n

The sweet left-footed winger has performed at a Ballon d\u2019Or winning level this season, often cutting in off the right flank to tremendous effect. Olise is almost sultry in style, boasting the air of a superstar who simply knows he\u2019s better than everyone else. <\/p>\n

He hasn\u2019t been swallowed up by his equally self-assured compatriots, and looks poised to take the World Cup by storm for a team that may well end up winning the thing. <\/p>\n

Didier Deschamps has experimented with Olise as his No. 10, giving him the freedom to rotate with a stellar attacking cast. As a collective, France is wondrous, but it\u2019s impossible to ignore the majesty of its individuals. <\/p>\n

5. Harry Kane (England)\"Harry<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now been 60 years of hurt for the Three Lions. | Michael Rega\/The FA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Harry Kane is England\u2019s record goalscorer and a World Cup Golden Boot winner. However, it\u2019s fair to say that we haven\u2019t seen the Bayern Munich hitman at his very best on the grand occasions at major tournaments. <\/p>\n

Still, Kane has been the world\u2019s most potent center forward this season. He\u2019s shown off what he can do as a creator, but Kane\u2019s superpower is undeniably his goalscoring. There\u2019s not a technique he hasn\u2019t mastered (well, other than corners), nor a goal he can\u2019t score. <\/p>\n

The 32-year-old has become a champion since his sluggish Euro 2024 campaign, and he enters this summer\u2019s tournament performing at a level that has left many to ponder whether he was the best striker of his generation all along. <\/p>\n

If he\u2019s able to inspire Bayern to another Champions League title and finally bring England\u2019s tournament hurt to an end, why shouldn\u2019t he be regarded as one of the greatest center forwards ever<\/a>? <\/p>\n

4. Pedri (Spain)\"Pedri\"<\/p>\n

Pedri is making up for lost time in North America. | Christian Kaspar-Bartke\/UEFA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The absence of Pedri failed to deter Spain during the latter stages at Euro 2024, after a challenge from the soon-to-be-retiring Toni Kroos in the quarterfinals ended the midfielder\u2019s tournament prematurely. <\/p>\n

Pedri thus watched on as Luis de la Fuente bypassed France and England on their way to the trophy in Germany. <\/p>\n

Once plagued by injuries, Pedri has stayed relatively healthy over the past couple of years, and Barcelona have most certainly reaped the benefits. <\/p>\n

A Houdini-like figure in midfield, the 23-year-old is a master escape artist who\u2019s ever so creative in the ways he bypasses pressure and breaks games open. <\/p>\n

Few boast the Spaniard\u2019s serenity, but he\u2019s a dogged defender, too. Despite his slight stature, Pedri most certainly packs a punch. Given that he missed out on the culmination of Spain\u2019s triumph two years ago, Bar\u00e7a\u2019s midfield maestro may feel he has to make up for lost time at this summer\u2019s tournament. <\/p>\n

3. Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 (France)\"Ousmane<\/p>\n

Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 is the Ballon d\u2019Or holder. | Jean Catuffe\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

After embarking upon a career year in 2024\u201325, it was always going to be hard for Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 to meet the loftiest of expectations in 2025\u201326.<\/p>\n

Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 has scored freely, just not at the frightening rate of last season, and muscle injuries have prevented the two-footed forward from developing an imperious groove. <\/p>\n

However, there\u2019s a sense that things are falling into place for Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and his PSG team at a critical juncture. <\/p>\n

The Ballon d\u2019Or holder is preparing for his third World Cup with France, having made 11 appearances across the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. On his previous outing at the tournament, Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 was an early withdrawal after giving away a penalty by fouling \u00c1ngel Di Maria in the final.<\/p>\n

Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s talent has never been in doubt, but he\u2019s come of age under Luis Enrique in Paris and will enter the upcoming tournament with an assurance he hasn\u2019t always boasted. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no one more deadly with both feet than the France star, and it\u2019d be a big surprise if he doesn\u2019t score his first World Cup goal in North America. <\/p>\n

2. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (France)\"Kylian<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hope Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s knee holds up. | Danielle Parhizkaran\/The Boston Globe\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

There may well be a tug-of-war in the French camp regarding whose team this is. For so long, it\u2019s been Kylian Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s, but Olise and Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 are bound to share the limelight this summer. <\/p>\n

Still, the World Cup seems to bring the best out of Mbapp\u00e9, who\u2019ll hope to be fully fit for the tournament despite a few knee issues this season, which will likely stop him from retaining the European Golden Shoe.<\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9 took the 2018 tournament by storm, as Les Blues triumphed in Russia, and became the first male player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to notch a World Cup final hat-trick four years ago. His remarkable effort was ultimately in vain, with Argentina winning on penalties, but the trio of strikes took his World Cup tally to 12\u2014just four adrift of record-holder Miroslav Klose.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a stop-start 2026 for Mbapp\u00e9 so far, but the Frenchman was keen to remind everyone of his potency in front of goal when he latched onto Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s perfectly-weighted through ball and dinked an effort over Ederson in France\u2019s friendly win over Brazil in March<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s track record suggests the very best iteration of himself will manifest in the U.S.<\/p>\n

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain)\"Lamine<\/p>\n

Yamal is preparing for his first taste of the World Cup. | Mehmet Ali Ozcan\/Anadolu\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lamine Yamal will feature at the World Cup for the first time this summer, with Spain among the favorites to go all the way. <\/p>\n

Yamal starred for Luis de la Fuente\u2019s stunning outfit at Euro 2024, claiming Young Player of the Tournament honors after Spain\u2019s triumph in Germany.<\/p>\n

La Roja is now gunning for its second world title, and first since 2010. This Spain team is venerated for their collective majesty, but it\u2019s the sparkle of the world\u2019s best soccer player out wide that ensures this side isn\u2019t one defined by its ability to merely retain possession.<\/p>\n

Superlatives have been exhausted when describing the precocious teenager, whose flow state is as majestic as anything we\u2018ve seen since the very best of Messi. Thanks to a divine combination of subtlety, cunning craft and outstanding technique, Yamal is nothing short of untouchable on his day. <\/p>\n

At the age of just 18, we\u2019re all wondering whether Yamal could be set for his \u201986 Maradona or \u201922 Messi-like campaign already. <\/p>\n

READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For anyone getting caught up in who won\u2019t be taking center stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":569753,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[440],"tags":[49,48,561,82],"class_list":["post-569752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-soccer","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-soccer","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=569752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569752\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/569753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=569752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=569752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=569752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}