​Ranking the top 15 players still in contention at the 2026 World Cup: where Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland land in the mix, originally published by The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. The 2026 World Cup has built toward a thrilling conclusion over the next 10 days, with co-hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada all exiting in the Round of 16. Yet the field remains stacked with traditional heavyweights and other teams that have historically gone deep, all still in the hunt for glory.
This tournament has lived up to its billing as a stage for the superstars. Just check the Golden Boot standings, where Lionel Messi sits at the top, followed by Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane. That quartet is very much part of this ranking. It feels like a competition in which the biggest names have risen to the occasion en masse like never before, though there are also breakout talents and players carrying their nations’ hopes, elevating their games when it matters most.
Several factors shaped these rankings. Primarily, we assess how the players are performing at the World Cup itself. But we also consider their overall quality, their standing within the sport in 2026, and what they might contribute when the stakes are highest in the remaining matches. Read, enjoy, and disagree vigorously—the beauty of this exercise is in the debate.
More World Cup coverage: Printable bracket, updated Golden Boot tracker, expert quarterfinal picks, ranking the World Cup teams remaining 1-8. All stats come from Opta Analyst unless noted. Take note of Fernandez: his stoppage-time header against Egypt may well be the moment that kept Argentina from an early exit and underscored that Messi cannot do it alone. A truly elite midfielder like Fernandez gives Messi a genuine chance to triumph. The former River Plate youngster burst onto the scene at Qatar 2022, setting the stage for a big-money move to Chelsea. Life at the chaotic London club has made it harder to peg him as one of the world’s best midfielders, but his clutch performance in Atlanta showed exactly why he belongs among the elite.
Morocco’s run to the 2022 semifinals wasn’t a one-off, and with players like Hakim Hakimi in their ranks, their continued success is hardly surprising. When the Paris Saint-Germain right-back is firing on all cylinders, it can feel like Morocco have an extra man on the field, patrolling the entire right flank. Hakimi is a constant threat, both in open play and from set pieces, with 15 chances created—the fourth-most in the tournament and the best among defenders. He has also contested more ground duels than anyone else heading into the later rounds.
Alongside Erling Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard has been Norway’s breakout star. Yet the Arsenal playmaker has arguably been outshined by Bodo/Glimt star Berg in the Norwegian midfield, though he remains a vital cog in his national side’s engine. The combination of industrious work and technical quality makes Ødegaard a central figure to watch as Norway pushes for late-round success.