The best players in the world will be on display this summer at the 2026 World Cup. So, let’s rank them. Ahead of the world’s premier sporting event, our experts ranked the 100 best stars who will likely feature at this summer’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. We have officially released all 100 players on our list, and there are some serious star players here. We’ve got legends, rising names and players looking for their World Cup breakout moments. From Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Egypt’s Mo Salah, we’ve got the biggest and best players covered. So where do the legends land, and which young stars beat them out on the countdown? JUMP TO: 100-76 | 75-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1 Without further ado, let’s get into it with insight from FOX Sports soccer analysts Maurice Edu, Stu Holden and Alexi Lalas. 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 100-76 Age: 28National team appearances: 52Club team: AC Milan (Italy) Estupiñán 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. Age: 26National team appearances: 56Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. “This is a guy who shows he oozes quality in the final third,” Edu said. “He’s a guy that can be a threat in behind, he can link up play, but more than anything else, he’s a finisher.” Age: 29National team appearances: 77Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) 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. “When we redo this, maybe at the end of the tournament, and we look back, we might say, ‘I can’t believe we had Kim only at 98,’ when he comes out as one of the great center backs of the tournament,” Lalas said. Age: 23National team appearances: 18Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) 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. Age: 28National team appearances: 26Club team: Manchester United (England) Martínez 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. Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club team: Manchester City (England) 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. Editor’s note: Foden will miss the World Cup after not being selected for England’s 26-man squad. Age: 28National team appearances: 31Club team: Brighton (England) 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. Editor’s note: Mitoma will miss the World Cup due to a hamstring injury on May 9. Age: 28National team appearances: 33Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Kylian Mbappé 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. Age: 29National team appearances: 52Club team: Real Sociedad (Spain) 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. “Just an absolute baller,” Holden said. “I think he should be so much higher than 92. He’s so underrated. He’s 29 years old, and he’s played in six finals in his career. Do you know in how many of those finals he has scored? All six. He’s scored in every final that he has played in.” Age: 24National team appearances: 24Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) 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. Age: 34National team appearances: 125Club team: Fulham (England) Jiménez 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. “The pressure that’s going to be on his shoulders will be incredibly heavy,” Edu said. Age: 20National team appearances: 28Club team: Juventus (Italy) Yıldız 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 Türkiye. “He is a guy that, at any moment, can change a game,” Holen said. Age: 27National team appearances: 16Club team: Arsenal (England) 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. Age: 29National team appearances: 41Club team: Arsenal (England) 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, Merino has also played as a striker for both club and country. Age: 34National team appearances: 84Club team: Manchester United (England) 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. “Have you watched Casemiro this season? He’s having a renaissance,” Holden said. “He’s been flying. Brazil is going to need him with some of the injuries they’re picking up now.” Age: 30National team appearances: 41Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) 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. Age: 25National team appearances: 27Club team: Manchester City (England) Guéhi 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. Age: 25National team appearances: 15Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. Age: 26National team appearances: 22Club team: Chelsea (England) 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. Age: 33National team appearances: 143Club team: LAFC (United States) 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. “He’s struggling a little bit at the start of the season from a goals perspective. But I still think when it comes to South Korea, when it comes to big games, I don’t worry for a second,” Holden said. Age: 27National team appearances: 46Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Koundé 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. Age: 27National team appearances: 84Club team: AC Milan (Italy) “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. “On talent alone, Pulisic is a top-40 player in the world,” Holden said. Age: 21National team appearances: 28Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Güler 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 Türkiye for years to come, starting with this summer’s World Cup. “Güler and Kenan Yıldız are going to play a big part for Türkiye in this World Cup,” Holden said. “Playing at Real Madrid, there’s a certain level of not just quality that you need to have, but personality — being able to handle the weight of that shirt. And now, when you put on that Türkiye jersey as well, we’ve seen him deliver. At such a young age, we have seen him take that responsibility.” Age: 27National team appearances: 32Club team: Arsenal (England) Gyökeres 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. Age: 27National team appearances: 48Club team: Barcelona (Spain) 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 Age: 31National team appearances: 66Club team: Barcelona (Spain), on loan from Al-Hilal Few 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. Age: 24National team appearances: 22Club team: Arsenal (England) Martinelli will be a key player for Brazil this summer. He has struggled to establish a starting spot on the left wing because of Vinícius Júnior 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. Age: 27National team appearances: 64Club team: Juventus (Italy) 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. “The guy is a baller. I would say he’s having the most impressive season of his career,” Holden added. “The most important thing is, now he’s playing further forward up the field, and he’s shown that he can score goals and create assists.” 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. “Ever since he came into the national team, when he’s on the pitch, the team has a different kind of bounce to them,” Edu said. “He’s expressive in everything he does, whether that’s attacking play in the final third or being on the opposite end defending and tracking back. One of the beautiful things about him is that he’s so adaptable. To me, he’s growing into being probably the most important player on this team.” Age: 27National team appearances: 44Club team: Liverpool (England) 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, 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. “If it’s one game in a World Cup to win, I want that guy on my team,” Holden said. “He’s a World Cup winner, a Premier League winner. He’s a gamer. He can flick the light switch and be a baller.” Age: 26National team appearances: 43Club team: AC Milan (Italy) When Leão 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, Leão could be an X-factor capable of pushing Portugal over the top this summer. Age: 28National team appearances: 82Club team: Crystal Palace (England) 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 Mané. Age: 30National team appearances: 38Club team: AC Milan (Italy) 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. Age: 24National team appearances: 8Club team: Chelsea (England) 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. “He’s a guy that’s very dynamic on the ball,” Holden said. “He can run in behind, he likes to drop underneath and hold the ball up. You have someone that needs to say, ‘I’m going to be that guy that scores goals for Brazil,’ and I think João Pedro has the ability to do that.” Age: 25National team appearances: 31Club team: Arsenal (England) 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. “They call him the Rolls-Royce, Mr. William Saliba,” Edu said. “The guy does ooze class. He plays with a certain level of composure as a center back. He wins his one-on-one duels. He’s very strong, competitive and physical.” Age: 31National team appearances: 104Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) 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. “Marquinhos is going to have to be big with the injury to Militão,” Lalas said. Age: 19National team appearances: 11Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Cubarsí turned 19 in January and has already played 125 times for Barcelona. He’s less established for Spain, 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 Cubarsí was in the lineup for the team’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Age: 33National team appearances: 76Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. Age: 26National team appearances: 27Club team: Liverpool (England) Konaté 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. Age: 24National team appearances: 46Club team: Manchester City (England) 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 Modrić runs the Croatian midfield, Gvardiol will command the defense. Age: 26National team appearances: 48Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. “When he gets to the World Cup and big tournaments, he starts to get hot and score goals,” Holden said. “He broke onto the scene at the 2022 World Cup. He’s got a lot of ability running at players, and it gets a little frantic, but he’s streaky. He can score goals. Tons of talent.” Age: 22National team appearances: 7Club team: Barcelona (Spain) López 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. López 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. Age: 33National team appearances: 113Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. “For a guy that’s done so much in his career, this is a massive opportunity,” Edu said. “When you talk about legacy and what you want to leave behind at club and national team level, for Mo Salah, if you can guide your team into the knockout round of the World Cup, it just adds to the legend. “I love the chance that he has at this World Cup to really cement who he is both at club and national team level.” Age: 23National team appearances: 25Club team: Liverpool (England) 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. Age: 29National team appearances: 69Club team: Napoli (Italy) 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. “The amount of respect he has gotten in Serie A, and again this year with Napoli — he’s physically so tall, so fast, strong and powerful,” Holden said. “He can score goals, he can assist. He’s a top-30 player in the world right now, Scott McTominay, for sure. Not even a question.” Age: 24National team appearances: 34Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) 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 Hincapíé in the middle of Ecuador’s back four, which on paper might be one of the stronger units in the field. “Ecuador is my dark horse, and they’re going to make a run in this tournament built off being strong defensively,” Edu said. “William Pacho being at center back plays a massive role in that equation.” Age: 27National team appearances: 67Club team: Arsenal (England) Two years ago, Ødegaard 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 Sørloth. “He’s had so many injuries this season at club level,” Edu said. “At his best, this guy is a top-10 chance-maker in the world — his creativity, his weight of the final pass, his vision to see the final pass. “But as of late, it’s kind of been stop-start. It’s going to be him and Erling Haaland that really steer this ship and determine the fortunes for how far Norway can go.” Age: 25National team appearances: 40Club team: Chelsea (England) Fernández 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. Age: 23National team appearances: 30Club team: Athletic Club Bilbao (Spain) 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. “In the Euros, he was unplayable,” Holden said. “Nobody could stop him.” Age: 27National team appearances: 25Club team: Arsenal (England) 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. “When I see him for Spain, I see a freer version of Zubimendi, and I think that’s where he is a little bit better because he can get around the field a little bit more,” Holden said. “He can read the spaces, and there are different types of combinations and a little bit more free-flowing attacking play. I think we see a better version of him with Spain than we do at Arsenal.” If healthy, Rodri is likely to start over Zubimendi, but the Arsenal midfielder provides plenty of stability off the bench when necessary. “This summer, based on the health, the fitness and the form of Rodri, he will have a significant role to play for Spain,” Edu said. “I still look at Zubimendi — he’s a top player. Quality on the ball, quality in the way that he sees the game. He’s just got to get back to being at his very best.” Age: 34National team appearances: 124Club team: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) Mané just turned 34, so his best days might be behind him, but he could definitely still be an impact player this summer. He is Senegal’s all-time leading goalscorer, and he’s five appearances behind teammate Idrissa Gueye’s 131 for the most in the history of the national team. “He’s going to be so important for Senegal,” Holden said. “In his day, this guy was a phenomenal player — 120 goals from 2016 to 2022 for Liverpool.” 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 50-26 Age: 27National team appearances: 23Club team: Chelsea (England) While players have come and gone at Chelsea over the past few years, Cucurella has been one constant presence. He’ll enter the World Cup having played more than 100 games over the past two seasons for the Blues, all since starting for Spain en route to the Euro 2024 crown two years ago. “He’s a shutdown defender,” Holden said. “Look, he’s played against some of the best in the world, and I’ve seen him play one-on-one. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s a hard-nosed defender at the end of the day. He’s a guy I want on my team.” Age: 29National team appearances: 64Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Any manager would love to have a player like de Jong in midfield. The Barcelona man controls play and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The combination of de Jong and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch will be one of the best midfield duos in the tournament. Age: 33National team appearances: 59Club team: Aston Villa (England) Martínez burst onto the scene in 2020 for Arsenal, and his ascension has seemingly never stopped. He quickly became Argentina’s starting goalkeeper, and then he was the hero in the 2022 World Cup final in the penalty shootout. Martínez is among the best goalkeepers in the world and brings an attitude to the game that has the spotlight constantly on him. Age: 28National team appearances: 41Club team: Newcastle (England) Guimarães will be a big presence in midfield for Brazil. He’s capable of covering every blade of grass and has the kind of attitude that wins games. Age: 29National team appearances: 74Club team: Manchester City (England) Dias was the 2021 Premier League Player of the Season for Manchester City in his first year at the club. He is one of the most decorated defenders in the world. All that’s missing for the physical center back is success at the international level with Portugal. This summer will be a great chance for him to achieve that. Age: 27National team appearances: 30Club team: Manchester City (England) While de Jong and Gravenberch do the dirty work in the Dutch midfield, Reijnders will be pulling the strings. The Dutchman thrived at AC Milan before moving to Manchester City ahead of this past season. While he hasn’t maintained a consistent starting spot, he’s the kind of midfielder who can control the tempo of a game. Age: 34National team appearances: 107Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Over the past decade, he has been the best goalkeeper in the world. At 6-foot-7, it’s very difficult to beat Courtois, who has put in match-winning performances on the biggest stages at Real Madrid. His performance at the 2022 Champions League Final in Real’s 1-0 win over Liverpool was the stuff of legend. Belgium has a big leg up with Courtois between the posts. Age: 35National team appearances: 67Club team: Fenerbahçe (Türkiye) Kanté may not be the flashiest name on the French team sheet, but he is arguably its most indispensable asset. Now 35 and playing in Turkey, the veteran has defied age to prove he is still one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. As a key architect of France’s 2018 World Cup glory, the tireless midfielder has built a career on disrupting world-class attacks with a smile on his face. Age: 33National team appearances: 82Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Rüdiger moved to Real Madrid in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the best center backs in the world. He’s on the back nine of his career at 33 years old, but he would start for every country in this tournament. At 6-foot-3, Rüdiger brings an impressive combination of size and athleticism to the table that is rarely matched. Age: 22National team appearances: 5Club team: Manchester City (England) Cherki is finishing up his first season at Manchester City and has found his form since the calendar turned to 2026. He is a dynamic dribbler who’s very difficult to get the ball away from, and he’s scored some massive goals late in the season to show off his end product. “He’s silky smooth — like butter,” Holden said. “This guy is different. He has an aura. He has class. He’s skillful. He’s not afraid to take players on, and I think he’s becoming a poster boy for this over-coaching generation: Just let a guy like him be him. Let him enjoy the game. He makes me enjoy the game by watching him, and if anything, I think he should be higher than No. 41.” Cherki faces an uphill battle to start in a supremely talented France squad, but his late-season form might make manager Didier Deschamps’ decision easy. “I think everyone agrees he has the potential to be one of the greats,” Lalas said. Age: 41National team appearances: 226Club team: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) This may seem low for Ronaldo, but it’s impressive for the 41-year-old goalscoring extraordinaire to still be competing at this level. “We have underestimated just how much quality this guy still has at his age,” Holden said. “We look at the number, but age is only a number. I know he’s been playing in Saudi Arabia, and we talk about his level dropping, but the reality is that in the Nations League and in qualifying, Ronaldo was scoring goals left and right.” He’s closing in on 1,000 goals for his career and has the chance this summer to add the one piece of silverware his incredible resume is missing: the World Cup. “You need a winner,” Edu said. “You need a guy with this level of experience, a guy who has scored in five consecutive World Cups. No. 40? There, I said it: Cristiano should be higher. Even at this precious, delicate age of 41 years young, Cristiano Ronaldo is still a winner. He has a winner’s mentality.” Age: 23National team appearances: 41Club team: Manchester City (England) Doku is a defender’s nightmare when he is on his game. The Belgian winger might be the best dribbler in the World Cup. He’s smooth on the ball and has impressive pace and quickness that will wreak havoc in the opposition’s 18-yard box. With midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku getting up there in years, Doku looks like the future of the Belgium team. Age: 20National team appearances: 6Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Doué will turn 21 during the World Cup and is already one of the best wingers in the world. He scored in last year’s Champions League Final, which PSG won, and quickly has become a major contender for minutes in France’s stacked attack. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise all seemingly have spots filled. Doué and Cherki will be the key contenders to start alongside that trio. Age: 34National team appearances: 117Club team: Napoli (Italy) While De Bruyne is getting older, class is permanent. At 34 years old, he is still one of the best playmakers in world soccer. The key for him is to make sure he stays healthy so he can add to his 117 national-team appearances and 36 goals. If Belgium has success this summer, it will go through its midfield maestro. Age: 30National team appearances: 71Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Dumfries has established himself as one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world over the past few years. The right back is a constant goal threat and will be a focal point for opposition looking to slow down the Dutch this summer. Look for him to play a key role on both ends of the pitch for the Netherlands. Age: 23National team appearances: 43Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Mendes is the No. 2 left back on this list and No. 3 fullback. He joined PSG in 2021 and quickly established himself as an elite player at his position. Mendes is one of the fastest fullbacks in the world, and he’s also an extremely capable defender. With João Cancelo at right back and Mendes on the left, Portugal have one of the best fullback pairs in the tournament. Age: 40National team appearances: 196Club team: AC Milan (Italy) This feels like it will be Modrić’s final major tournament for Croatia, but it feels unwise to count out the 40-year-old. After 13 years at Real Madrid, he moved to AC Milan before this past season and has not lost a step. Few players possess the control that Modrić has, and he can still boss a game as well as any midfielder in the world. Modrić’s 196 international appearances for Croatia rank third among players likely to play this summer, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (226) and Lionel Messi (198). “I love watching Luka Modrić play,” Holden said. “He’s the ultimate conductor in the middle of the field. His technical ability, his engine — he can just run for days upon days. Age: 24National team appearances: 14Club team: Chelsea (England) Palmer joined Chelsea in 2023, and he will enter the World Cup in maybe his worst form since that move. The England midfielder scored 37 Premier League goals in his first two seasons with the Blues, but injuries have halted his progression this year. Still, we know what he is capable of, as evidenced by his goal in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. Whether Palmer starts for England remains to be seen, but the left-footed playmaker is likely to play a key role for the Three Lions. Editor’s note: Palmer will miss the World Cup after not being selected for England’s 26-man squad. Age: 23National team appearances: 40Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) The 23-year-old suffered a fractured fibula during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and missed the rest of 2025. Since then, he has slowly returned to the form that makes him one of the world’s best playmakers. An elite dribbler, Musiala will be at the core of the German attack this summer. If he is playing well, expect Germany to become a contender for the title. “He, to me, is must-see TV,” Edu said. “He’s elite in terms of the way he just glides around the pitch. He’s not your overly flashy kind of player, but for Germany, since his introduction back in 2021 or so, the guy has matured year after year after year.” Age: 31National team appearances: 107Club team: Manchester City (England) Silva is finishing his final season at Manchester City after nine years at the club that have seen him win everything. He has six Premier League winners medals to go with two FA Cup and five EFL Cup victories, as well as the 2023 Champions League. He’s as dependable a player as they come in midfield and, along with Bruno Fernandes, will orchestrate the Portuguese attack this summer to help complement Ronaldo. Age: 25National team appearances: 58Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Davies moved to Canada when he was 5 years old and became the face of Canadian soccer about 12 years later. He started his career in MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps before moving to Bayern Munich in 2018. From there, he became the best attacking left back in the world with his impressive pace and physicality. For Canada, Davies plays a more attacking role. He will have to play well if the host nation is going to succeed this summer. “Make no mistake about it: Alphonso Davies is by far the most important player for Canada,” Edu said. “Where he ends up playing positionally — whether it’s at left back or higher up the pitch in the attacking phase — is yet to be determined, and Jesse Marsch has the flexibility to play with that and tinker with it. “But at his best, Alphonso Davies is elite. He’s a quality player. He brings a different dynamic with his pace and, more than anything, his experience playing at such a high level on a consistent basis and playing a large role within a Bayern team.” Age: 31National team appearances: 108Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Kimmich is approaching 500 career appearances for Bayern Munich and has already played 108 times for Germany. The 31-year-old is a born leader and will patrol the midfield this summer for the Germans. He doesn’t seem to ever stop running and can play all over the pitch. Teams that win big tournaments like the World Cup need versatile and driven players like Kimmich in their team. Age: 34National team appearances: 90Club team: Liverpool (England) The No. 2-ranked center back on this list has been the standard at the position since moving to Liverpool in 2018. At 6-foot-5, van Dijk has impressive pace to accompany his size, which means few attackers are able to dribble past him. He has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League with Liverpool, but there’s no international glory to go along with that. The 34-year-old Dutch captain will be the driving force of his team’s defense this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 48Club team: Arsenal (England) Saka broke into the England team in 2021 and immediately made the right wing his position. The 24-year-old has 14 goals — three of which came at the 2022 World Cup — in 48 appearances for England and is a key player in the Three Lions’ attack. The fourth-highest ranked English player on this list, England will rely heavily on the left-footed Saka to create chances for goalscorer extraordinaire Harry Kane. “He is a player who has to show up for England,” Edu said. “England will tell you every single World Cup that it’s coming home. If they truly believe that, Bukayo Saka is one of those players who has to be at his very best and sharpest to give them a chance.” Age: 28National team appearances: 75Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Martínez has scored more than 200 goals between Inter Milan and the national team since moving to Italy in 2018. He has firmly established himself as one of the best and most consistent strikers in the world, having scored at least 20 goals in each of the last five seasons. Whether Martínez starts for Argentina remains to be seen, with Julián Álvarez also thriving alongside Lionel Messi. 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 25-11 Age: 26National team appearances: 44Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) If France wins the World Cup this summer, the victory will be powered by its star attackers. Tchouaméni will likely be the unsung hero in midfield, though. The Real Madrid man will be on the ball more than any other French player this summer, dictating where the ball goes in attack and breaking up the opposition’s attacks. Tchouaméni is one of the best midfielders in the world, and his job is to complement the tournament’s best attack. Age: 26National team appearances: 34Club team: Manchester City (England) Semenyo has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. The London-born winger scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth before moving to Manchester City in January. England would love to have Semenyo in the fold for this tournament, but he made his debut for Ghana in 2022. He has become one of the best wingers in the world this season and will be the driving force behind any success Ghana has this summer. “One I want to pick out, Semenyo,” Holden said. “He was phenomenal for Bournemouth. He’s gone to Man City. I think he’s played every minute of every game for the last two years. He doesn’t miss games. He just plays. He’s an absolute amazing player, he glides, he’s on his toes constantly the way he moves, good finisher.” Holden later added: “I do like Semenyo as a player. I think it’s a fair number in terms of talent and ability.” Age: 29National team appearances: 72Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Díaz was already known as one of the best wingers in the world after four seasons at Liverpool, but he has gone to another level this season after moving to Bayern Munich. The Colombian winger is nonstop action when he’s on the pitch with a relentless motor and impressive pace that will create problems for any defense. While James Rodriguez is the big name for Colombia, Díaz will be the key player for it this summer. “Luis Diaz is Colombia’s by far and away most important player for them to have a good run in this World Cup,” Stu Holden said. “He’s a difference maker. That looks like a bargain for what Bayern paid for him from Liverpool. And that was a big price tag… I think what he’s shown is that going to a league in Germany, he has thrived. He’s going to be a big player in this World Cup.” Maurice Edu also praised Diaz’s impact, saying: “When you talk about the numbers that he’s put up, when you talk about his ability to be an individual game changer, solo magician, goals, assists… you can’t look beyond Luis Diaz and what he’s done.” Age: 23National team appearances: 39Club team: Liverpool (England) Wirtz broke out during the 2023-24 season when he led Bayer Leverkusen to an upset victory in the German Bundesliga. He scored 34 goals in his final two seasons with Leverkusen before making a nine-figure move to Liverpool, where he has failed to reach the same heights. Still, Wirtz will be a crucial factor for Germany this summer, alongside Jamal Musiala. The two young playmakers will be the keys for Germany for the next decade, if everything goes to plan. Age: 28National team appearances: 17Club team: Arsenal (England) Gabriel is the No. 1-ranked center back on this list, having established himself on both ends of the pitch for Arsenal in recent years. The Brazilian has made more than 220 appearances over the past five seasons for the Gunners, and he has established himself as a first-choice player for the national team. Gabriel has also made his name in attack as one of the best threats from corner and free kicks. The left-footed defender, though, will be a key cog as Brazil looks to return to glory this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 60Club team: Chelsea (England) While Chelsea has been hot and cold in recent years, Caicedo’s presence in midfield is immense. In his first three seasons for the Blues, he has made just shy of 150 appearances. He is a physical player who is not afraid of a tackle. Along with defenders Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, Caicedo is the main man in a strong center of an Ecuador team that could play spoiler this summer. Age: 27National team appearances: 72Club team: Arsenal (England) Rice is an all-action midfielder who covers every blade of grass whenever he’s on the field. He is England’s engine and one of the first names on the team sheet. Over the past five seasons (two with West Ham and the last three with Arsenal), Rice has played more than 250 games. He is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder who will play a big role in both attack and defense for manager Thomas Tuchel’s team. When England is playing, expect to see a lot of Rice. “I like his all-around game,” Edu said. “He can play as a box-to-box midfielder. He can play as a number six, comfortable on the ball, aggressive in the challenge in that midfield.” Edu also highlighted Rice’s leadership qualities heading into the tournament. “He is the leader on the pitch,” Edu said. “If England are truly going to bring it home and have it coming home, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are two guys that have to play massive roles throughout the course of this summer.” Holden added: “This season has changed the way we think about Declan Rice… he’s raised his profile and shown us that he has another level.” Age: 22National team appearances: 46Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Bellingham broke out as a 17-year-old at Borussia Dortmund before a 2023 move to Real Madrid, with which he won the Champions League in his first season. In his third season in Spain, the 22-year-old hasn’t reached the heights he did in his first two campaigns. He is a constant threat in the 18-yard box and has scored many big goals for England. Already with 46 appearances for the national team at his young age, Bellingham is the present and future for the Three Lions. Whether they’re able to bring the World Cup home this summer may depend on his form. “Look, player of the year in the Bundesliga in ’23, player of the year in La Liga in 2024,” Holden said. “He was awesome for England at the Euro as well. He’s surrounded by global superstars at Real Madrid.” Despite discussing Bellingham’s recent dip in form, Holden remained optimistic about the England star’s future. “I don’t worry about him longer term,” Holden said. “He set such a high expectation for those years and now we’re like, ‘Okay, you’re a big star. You got to deliver.’” Age: 21National team appearances: 21Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) As a 19-year-old, Neves played 55 games for Benfica in Portugal before making a move to PSG, with which he won the Champions League in his first season. At just 5-foot-9, Neves is not an imposing figure in midfield, but he controls the game as well as any player in the world. He is a menace defensively but can also drive the ball up field with it at his feet. He will partner PSG teammate Vitinha and veteran midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva for a Portugal team that may boast the best midfield in the tournament. Age: 38National team appearances: 198Club team: Inter Miami (USA) Maybe the best player of all time, Messi will turn 39 years old on June 24. He is still extremely capable of leading the reigning world champions to a repeat run at the title. Messi has spent the past three seasons in MLS and is still averaging well north of 1.5 goals/assists per game for Inter Miami. Messi has made a staggering 198 appearances (second most among players likely to appear at the tournament) for Argentina with 116 goals to his name. As long as he is on the field, he will be the go-to guy for Argentines, who will go as far in the tournament as he takes them. “Lionel Messi, I think what you’re seeing with him being at 16 is an MLS bias,” Holden said. “He’s lower than he should be. I think still this is the GOAT. This is the greatest player of all time.” Holden continued: “I still think he will be as lethal as ever on the ball in the World Cup this summer. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen with my eyes and he can do things on the ball… at any given time.” Edu echoed that praise. “The guy is just a pure footballer,” Edu said. “When he’s on the ball, he is always the difference for Argentina… he still has that elite level quality, that GOAT level quality.” Alexi Lalas also emphasized Messi’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage. “He delivers and time and time again, he delivers,” Lalas said. “Nobody would put it past him.” Age: 29National team appearances: 37Club team: Barcelona (Spain) While Vinícius Júnior makes the headlines for Brazil, Raphinha will be just as important to any success that the Seleção will have this summer. He moved to Barcelona in 2022 after two seasons in the Premier League with Leeds United and has been a key man for the club since. His best moment was the 2024-25 season, when he registered 34 goals and 22 assists across 57 games. He has been injured for a large part of this season but is regaining fitness just in time to play a starring role for Brazil this summer. The left-footed winger will be a force to be reckoned with on the right wing. “Raphinha has been amazing since that transfer from Leeds to Barcelona,” Holden said. “He’s had a little bit of injuries of late, but I think Brazil, if they’re back, if they’re going to be good this World Cup, they’re going to rely a lot on Raphinha.” Age: 29National team appearances: 61Club team: Manchester City (England) When Spain won Euro 2024, it was with Rodri pulling the strings in midfield. His performances that year with the national team and winning the Premier League with Manchester City saw him win the Ballon d’Or, which goes to the best player in the world for that season. Unfortunately, the past two seasons since that Euro triumph have been defined by injuries, with him playing just four games the following season while dealing with a knee injury. When he is fit, he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Spain. Rodri is one of the best midfielders in the world, dictating play on the ball while breaking up opposing attacks defensively. “Man, Rodri, what a player,” Holden said. “We feel his presence when he’s not there for Manchester City. When he was injured, you saw the drop in their form.” Holden also praised Rodri’s intelligence and influence on matches. “He’s so smart up in the head, physically so good,” Holden said. “If he wants the game to go fast, the game goes fast. If he wants to slow the game down, he goes slow. I think he’s incredible.” Age: 26National team appearances: 51Club team: Atlético Madrid (Spain) Álvarez’s coming-out party was during the 2024 World Cup, when he was a key piece in Argentina’s attack en route to the title. After two seasons at Manchester City, Álvarez moved to Atlético Madrid, where he has played more of a starring role as a center forward. Technically quick with his feet, Álvarez’s work rate is impressive for a striker. After years of looking for the ideal strike partner next to Messi, Álvarez has emerged as the ideal player to go alongside the all-time great. He’ll play a crucial part in Argentina’s title defense. Age: 31National team appearances: 87Club team: Manchester United (England) Since moving to Manchester United in January 2020, Fernandes has been one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. He has made more than 300 appearances for the Red Devils in those six seasons. While Ronaldo will grab the headlines, the Portuguese attack will go through Fernandes. He has 19 assists in the Premier League this season, and he’s second in the Premier League in assists to only Mohamed Salah since arriving in England. Given his recent form, ability to create scoring chances and to score goals, Fernandes will be the star man for Portugal’s attack this summer. “A player I want to look at — throw some respect on Bruno Fernandes,” Holden said. “The season he’s having right now for Manchester United… he’s been the captain there for a number of years now. I think he’s a top, top player.” Holden later added: “I think he’s top 10.” Age: 27National team appearances: 73Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Valverde has been an absolute machine for Real Madrid over the past four seasons, making at least 54 appearances in each campaign. Teams that win major trophies need a player like Valverde in midfield, as his motor will not stop over the course of the 90 minutes. He will do all the necessary dirty work while also contributing to his team’s attack. Uruguay is not among the favorites, but the two-time world champions will not be an easy out with Valverde leading the midfield. “It’s his importance to the Uruguay national team,” Edu said. “He’s an inspirational leader. He’s kind of like that heartbeat for the Uruguay national team.” Edu also highlighted Valverde’s longevity and consistency at club level. “This is the only reason why I’m kind of slightly saying that I would put Valverde above Rodri,” Edu said. “A player that’s been in Real Madrid what feels like forever.” 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 10-1 Age: 23National team appearances: 40Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Pedri went from playing in Spain’s second division to making 52 appearances for Barcelona in 2020. Since then, he has become one of the best players in the world as a box-to-box midfielder for the Spanish giants. Pedri has already made 40 appearances for Spain at 24 years old, but he missed the run-in to the final of Euro 2024 after suffering a knee injury in the quarterfinal against Germany. When fit, Pedri is one of the first names on Spain’s formidable team sheet, which is especially impressive given the range of midfield depth that La Roja possess. When the reigning European champions are playing, expect to see a lot of Pedri all over the pitch. Age: 26National team appearances: 37Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) From a failed loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers to one of the best players in the world, Vitinha is the top-ranked midfield player on this list. The Portuguese maestro played 19 Premier League games for Wolves during the 2020-21 season, but the club decided against making the move permanent. He returned to Porto and was sensational the following season before moving to PSG in 2022. Since then, he has become the best on-ball midfielder in the world. Last season, he became PSG’s motor en route to a Champions League title and has not slowed down since. Portugal’s midfield is stacked with Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) and PSG teammate Joao Neves. Vitinha will be the conductor. Age: 27National team appearances: 95Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Another PSG player, Hakimi is the top-ranked defender on this list, although he’s not necessarily this high because of his defense. Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Hakimi went through the ranks at Real Madrid before making successful moves to Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and PSG. In the French capital, he has further established himself as a force on the right wing. Few players in world soccer can match his pace, and he has also proven to be a more-than-capable defender. Hakimi was one of the stars that led Morocco to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. Having already made 95 appearances for his country at just 27 years old, any success that Morocco has this summer will depend on how its star man performs. Age: 25National team appearances: 47Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Few players grab headlines like Vini Jr. The 25-year-old joined Real Madrid at 18 years old and has made more than 370 appearances for Los Blancos. He has won the Champions League twice, including scoring the winner in both finals in 2022 and 2024. For the national team, though, Vini has not reached the same heights he has with his club. He is yet to win a major trophy at the international level but will be front and center of Brazil’s efforts this season. Vini will start on the left wing and be a focal point for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who coached him to those Champions League triumphs in Madrid. Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club team: Manchester City (England) Haaland is a 6-foot-5 monster whose pace and size are unmatched. He has scored more than 160 goals in his first four seasons with Manchester City, establishing himself as the best goal-scorer in the Premier League. He has been even more prolific for Norway with 55 goals in 49 appearances for the national team. Haaland has won the Premier League and Champions League, and he also has three Golden Boots as the Premier League’s top scorer on his resume. Next for him is success at the international level. This will be his first major tournament with Norway, which is potentially poised to break through this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 15Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Olise was known as a very good playmaker for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but he has gone into a new stratosphere since moving to Bayern Munich in 2024. The London-born playmaker has 41 goals and 46 assists through his first two seasons with the German giants. In that time, he established himself as a key player for France. He has only made 15 appearances for Les Bleus, but he will be a key player on the right wing for manager Didier Deschamps with his silky smooth dribbling and elegant left foot. Speaking of that incredible French attack… Age: 28National team appearances: 58Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or as the best player in the world in 2025 after winning the Champions League with PSG. He played center forward for the French titans during that run but will likely find himself on the wing during the World Cup. Dembélé played six injury-riddled seasons with Barcelona before moving to PSG in 2023 and has thrived as the star since Kylian Mbappé moved to Real Madrid. This summer, Dembélé will feature alongside Mbappé and Olise to create one of the best attacking trios international soccer has ever seen. We’ll find out whether France can turn that collection of talent into another World Cup triumph. Age: 32National team appearances: 112Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Kane does not have the physical traits of Haaland. He is simply the most prolific goal-scorer in the world, though. The former Tottenham star just finished his third season with Bayern Munich and has 139 goals in 143 appearances. He also averaged 23.3 goals per season during his nine full-time campaigns for Spurs. Kane is England’s all-time-leading scorer with 78 goals, and he is 13 appearances shy of the all-time record for most appearances for the Three Lions. He consistently finds space in the opposition’s 18-yard box and usually makes teams pay when he does. England reached the semifinals in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2022. At 32 years old, this might be Kane’s last opportunity to lift the trophy and bring the World Cup back to England for the first time in 60 years. Age: 27National team appearances: 96Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Mbappé has scored at least 39 goals in each of the last six seasons between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. His pace is what separates him from Kane, as the Frenchman has the ability to blow past any defender to create chances for himself. Mbappe’s coming-out party was in 2018, when he scored four goals (three in the knockout stage) en route to France’s World Cup triumph. Since then, though, he has not won a major trophy beyond Ligue 1 with PSG outside of the UEFA Nations League in 2021. Mbappé has been in the headlines recently as he ends a second straight trophy-less season with Real Madrid. He will captain France this summer, though, and is in a great position to lift the World Cup on July 19. Age: 18National team appearances: 25Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Over the past three years, Yamal has taken over global soccer. He made his Barcelona debut as a 15-year-old in May 2023 and made his first start right after turning 16. Since then, he has made more than 150 appearances for Barcelona and 30 for Spain. He turned 17 during Euro 2024, during which he powered La Roja to win the tournament. Yamal suffered a hamstring injury in late April and faces a fitness race to ensure he’s healthy for the World Cup. When he’s fit, the young phenom will be on the right wing wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19). The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as well as the USA’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET). Watch FIFA World Cup 2026: Stream all 104 games on FOX One. Start your free trial today.
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