Ranking the top 50 players at the 2026 World Cup: Who were the winners and losers from the last 32?

With some contender flexes, almighty scares and jaw-dropping upsets, 32 teams have become 16 still standing at this World Cup.

The round of 32 delivered, and it’s time to revisit The Athletic’s ranking of the top 50 players at the tournament. This is informed by our player ratings model, which provides an objective assessment of each player’s contribution in a match.

The list will stay at 50 names and players will not simply vanish as their teams are eliminated, though they may be leapfrogged by others who earn more time to show what they can do.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were our top three from the group stage, but how has the landscape changed?

Please feel welcome to direct your thoughts and complaints to the comments section below…

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1. Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami (position unchanged)

Gave us all another iconic moment with an impossibly flawless first touch and finish against Cape Verde to become the first man to score 20 World Cup goals. Were it not for Vozinha in the opposition goal, he might have had another hat-trick. Instead, he settled for a match-winning assist.

2. Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid (position unchanged)

Is there any more thrillingly devastating sight in football than World Cup Mbappe? Sweden could not live with his otherworldly speed and razor-sharp movement, and he might have finished with more than two brilliantly taken goals. He is in top gear, backed by a dream supporting cast.

3. Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich (+2)

Even by the lofty standards he has set in this World Cup, Olise was sensational against Sweden. His two assists for Bradley Barcola and Mbappe were jaw-droppingly good, and his scissor kick came within the width of a post of giving him the goal of the tournament.

4. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich (+2)

Having had a good rather than great group stage, Kane found his superstar form when England needed it most against DR Congo, passing Pele in the all-time World Cup scoring chart, too. His first goal was a classic striker’s header, his second the kind of finish that only the great ones find.

5. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain (+2)

Typically at the heart of Morocco’s best attacking play against the Netherlands, and could have had a hat-trick of goals and a couple of assists on a different night. Shockingly crashed his penalty off the post in the shootout, but he has brought his best football to this World Cup.

6. Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid (-3)

Almost scored one of the great World Cup goals against Japan with a nutmeg, jinking run and outside-of-the-boot poke that Zion Suzuki tipped onto the post. Didn’t end up being the inspiration for Brazil’s fightback, but his constant aggression on the left flank contributed to their ramping up of pressure.

7. Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City (+1)

Nothing is more Haaland than punctuating a relatively anonymous performance with a vital tap-in. He scores so many simple goals because his penalty box movement is flawless, and his reward for seeing off Ivory Coast is a round of 16 date with Brazil and his old nemesis Gabriel. RO!

8. Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain (-4)

After being the star of France’s demolition of Norway’s second string to round off the group phase, Dembele receded into a supporting role against Sweden and let Mbappe and Olise take centre stage. He deserves credit for accepting that, and can clearly step up when needed.

9. Ismael Saibari — Morocco/Bayern Munich (+1)

Marked his first match since leaving PSV for Bayern Munich by sending the Netherlands home with a nerveless penalty to win the shootout. Might have done more to connect with a brilliant Hakimi cross at the back post earlier in the game, but the 25-year-old’s finishing has been more hit than miss.

10. Bruno Guimaraes — Brazil/Newcastle (+25)

Almost brought Brazil level against Japan with a powerful header before Casemiro found a way through and took every opportunity to attack the box, eventually receiving the ball and threading it through to Gabriel Martinelli for the winner — his fourth assist of this World Cup.

11. Mikel Oyarzabal — Spain/Real Sociedad (re-entry)

Oyarzabal has moulded himself into the ideal ‘false nine’ for Spain’s style, dropping off to cement their possession dominance before moving into the penalty area unseen and unmarked to score, as he did twice against Austria. That’s 16 goals in his last 15 games for the national side.

12. Aymeric Laporte — Spain/Athletic Club (+10)

Spain have not conceded a goal at this World Cup. Laporte has been integral to their stoutness without the ball and the control they exert with it, distributing with typical polish from the heart of their defence. His partnership with Pau Cubarsi looks slick and settled.

13. Pedri — Spain/Barcelona (-4)

Had perhaps his quietest individual game of the World Cup, but always adds value as he moves frictionless within Spain’s fluid passing machine and rarely seems bothered by opposition pressure, regardless of how many attempt to cut off his options.

14. Dayot Upamecano — France/Bayern Munich (position unchanged)

Upamecano and Saliba handled the dual threat of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres with relative ease and continue to look the most formidable centre-back pairing in this tournament. He has the occasional lapse, but overall has been very good.

15. Jude Bellingham — England/Real Madrid (-3)

Shook off a worrying first-half booking to be one of England’s better performers against DR Congo, dovetailing well with Kane, crashing the box whenever possible and forcing a couple of excellent saves from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Aside from Kane, he will be the biggest threat to Mexico.

16. Lamine Yamal — Spain/Barcelona (-1)

He tops the World Cup impudent nutmeg chart, but we’re still waiting for Yamal to truly catch fire. Spain did not need him to do the heavy lifting against Austria but if they want to beat Portugal in the round of 16, his genius will likely be required.

17. Declan Rice — England/Arsenal (+6)

Rice’s shift to right-back coincided with England getting their act together against DR Congo. That does not feel like a particularly sustainable strategy given his importance to Tuchel’s midfield, but it might be a useful adjustment to keep in the back pocket. Arguably England’s most important player after Kane.

18. Diogo Costa — Portugal/Porto (+12)

Arguably presented too large a target to Ivan Perisic for Croatia’s goal, but more than atoned with a trio of superb saves to deny Mateo Kovacic and made himself big to stifle Igor Matanovic from a tight angle. Has been the most impressive goalkeeper at this World Cup.

19. Pau Cubarsi — Spain/Barcelona (+13)

On the rare occasions when Austria threatened to get in behind the Spain defence, Cubarsi’s covering speed extinguished any danger. His mobility and athleticism complement Laporte very well, and it is to the credit of both of them that goalkeeper Unai Simon has hardly been troubled.

20. Folarin Balogun — United States/Monaco (-2)

Took his World Cup goal tally to three before receiving a straight red card when his studs found the heel of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. It was seemingly unintentional and is hugely unfortunate for USMNT, who will face Belgium without the clinical hub of their attack.

21. William Saliba — France/Arsenal (position unchanged)

Gave up almost nothing to his Arsenal team-mate Gyokeres as France nonchalantly dismissed Sweden, dominating in the air and on the floor while distributing the ball sensibly. No opponent at this tournament has found a way to stress him.

22. Ismaila Sarr — Senegal/Crystal Palace (+6)

No player is unluckier to be out of this World Cup than Sarr, who surely thought he had secured Senegal’s passage into the round of 16 when he lashed into the net after some outrageous chest control of a high ball angled over the Belgium defence. Alas, it was not to be.

23. Julian Quinones — Mexico/Al Qadsiah (+16)

Cannot miss at this World Cup, and his high finish from a tight angle against Ecuador might have been the most impressive of his three goals. England, with their injury problems at right-back, will be particularly preoccupied with neutralising him.

24. Roberto Alvarado — Mexico/Guadalajara (+14)

The connection with Quinones continues to power the Mexican attack. Alvarado’s perfectly measured chip over the Ecuador defence into the left channel for the Colombia-born winger to chase yielded his third World Cup assist. He has never played for a club outside his homeland, but he’ll surely have offers after this tournament.

25. Leandro Trossard — Belgium/Arsenal (+11)

Went from arguing with captain Youri Tielemans during the second hydration break against Senegal to clipping the ball onto his head for a dramatic equaliser that sent the match to extra time. Trossard’s rounded attacking skill set is critical to this faded Belgium side.

26. Joshua Kimmich — Germany/Bayern Munich (-9)

One of Germany’s better performers against Paraguay and scored his penalty in the shootout, but that doesn’t count for much within the context of another humiliating early World Cup exit. Whether or not he remains captain, the 31-year-old needs to be a full-time midfielder moving forward.

27. Florian Wirtz — Germany/Liverpool (-2)

Goes home with three assists from four World Cup games, his latest a whipped inswinger from the left flank that Kai Havertz glanced into the far corner. Wirtz hardly sparkled by his standards but he was still one of Germany’s best performers in another tournament failure.

28. Luis Diaz — Colombia/Bayern Munich (-17)

Diaz seems to have lost the clinical touch that powered his career-best season at Bayern Munich. He had one goal chalked off by a correct offside call and missed several other presentable chances against Ghana. Colombia need greater production from him.

29. Yan Diomande — Ivory Coast/RB Leipzig (-16)

Bowed out of this World Cup with no goals and one assist, but he has broadly justified the hype that surrounds his rise. Ivory Coast built many of their best attacks around the defensive attention he commands and his off-ball work ensured he was never a defensive liability.

30. Cody Gakpo — Netherlands/Liverpool (+1)

Produced the most emotional moment of this World Cup with his reaction to scoring days after the devastating loss of his unborn son, Elijah. The fact that he even took the field against Morocco was staggering, and hopefully now he and his partner get the time and support they need.

31. Elliot Anderson — England/Manchester City (-2)

Far from alone in taking time to hit his stride against DR Congo, but Anderson commanded the centre of the pitch well before and after Rice was moved to right-back as England gathered themselves and rallied. His transfer fee is jaw-dropping but he has played consistently well at this World Cup.

32. Marc Cucurella — Spain/Real Madrid (new entry)

Cucurella’s clever movement in the final third brings Spain’s wide rotations to life, and he had a big hand in all three of their goals against Austria, directly assisting two with inviting low crosses. Future opponents will test him more defensively, but he will give them plenty to worry about too.

33. Youri Tielemans — Belgium/Aston Villa (new entry)

Anyone who questioned why Tielemans, rather than Kevin De Bruyne or Thibaut Courtois, is Belgium captain got an emphatic answer in their remarkable resurrection against Senegal. His equaliser was a spectacularly brave header and he held his nerve to convert the penalty he had won in extra time.

34. Bradley Barcola — France/Paris Saint-Germain (re-entry)

Whisper it quietly, but Barcola seems to have nailed down the fourth attacking spot next to France’s big three. His blistering speed and direct running from the left flank fit well with Mbappe, Olise and Dembele. As he again demonstrated against Sweden, he can finish too.

35. Johan Manzambi — Switzerland/Freiburg (new entry)

One of the breakout stars of this World Cup. Having torn apart Bosnia and Canada in the group stage, he made his skilful ball carrying count against Algeria, driving to the byline and cutting the ball back to give Embolo a tap-in. No wonder big clubs are taking notice of the 20-year-old midfielder.

36. Amad — Ivory Coast/Manchester United (new entry)

Did all he could to bring Ivory Coast back from the brink against Norway, scoring an absolutely sublime solo goal to cancel out Antonio Nusa’s opener. The fact that he is not considered a clear starter for his country is mystifying, but he has made the most of his World Cup cameos.

37. Davinson Sanchez — Colombia/Galatasaray (new entry)

Colombia’s struggles for consistency in attack have left them leaning more heavily on their defence, and Sanchez has marshalled a very effective unit that has conceded just one goal in four matches. The 30-year-old also carries a serious aerial threat in the opposition box.

38. Breel Embolo — Switzerland/Rennes (+9)

Manzambi gave him the easiest of finishes from close range against Algeria but Embolo has led the line superbly for Switzerland at this World Cup, holding up and linking play, setting the table for his attacking team-mates and looking to initiate as well as finish moves.

39. Matheus Cunha — Brazil/Manchester United (-15)

Cunha was restricted to speculative, long-range efforts in his 66 minutes on the pitch against Japan, and never looked likely to add to his three goals in the tournament before being replaced by match-winner Martinelli.

40. Kai Havertz — Germany/Arsenal (re-entry)

Havertz probably won’t remember this as a good World Cup for him, particularly after missing his penalty against Paraguay, but he still finished with three goals from his four matches and had more good moments than bad at the point of Germany’s attack.

41. Malik Tillman — United States/Bayer Leverkusen (new entry)

There’s nothing like a sublime free kick to settle the collective nerves after a red card, and Tillman made sure of USMNT’s win over Bosnia in style. Having been one of Mauricio Pochettino’s better performers in the group stage, he deserved that moment.

42. Pedro Porro — Spain/Tottenham Hotspur (new entry)

Handled the threat of Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer with relative ease and attacked at every opportunity, overlapping and underlapping as appropriate and even popping up in the middle of the penalty area to score a striker’s header. Should he or Marcos Llorente start at right-back against Portugal?

43. Lisandro Martinez — Argentina/Manchester United (new entry)

Exhibited his passing range with a perfect floated ball over the Cape Verde defence for Messi to score, and his finishing with a fierce shot high into the net to restore Argentina’s lead. Opened his legs a tad too wide for Deroy Duarte’s goal, but he has generally defended well at this World Cup.

44. Gabriel — Brazil/Arsenal (re-entry)

Got his angles wrong when attempting to block Kaishu Sano’s low shot, but Gabriel has frequently been the one thing holding Brazil’s fragile defensive structure together. He also made up for it by supplying the inviting cross to the back post for Casemiro to head in the equaliser.

45. Stephen Eustaquio — Canada/Porto (new entry)

Produced the only real moment of quality in a tense, attritional game against South Africa when it mattered most, firing into the bottom corner from just outside the box in the first minute of injury time. Captain on the pitch whenever Alphonso Davies is absent, Eustaquio has lived up to his leadership role.

46. Anthony Gordon — England/Barcelona (new entry)

Gordon has not looked like the player Barcelona paid €80million (£69.3m; $93.2m) to sign at this World Cup, but he made a decisive impact off the bench against DR Congo. Having clipped the ball onto Kane’s head for the equaliser, he then slipped it to his captain to score the winner.

47. Julio Enciso — Paraguay/Strasbourg (new entry)

Scored his first World Cup goal against Germany after registering two assists in the group stage, and does so much for a limited Paraguay attack. His link play, pressing and off-ball movement are all excellent. He was subbed long before the penalty shootout, but played a key role in getting his team there.

48. Rayan — Brazil/Bournemouth (new entry)

Has seized the opportunity presented to him by Raphinha’s unfortunate injury with both hands. The 19-year-old crossing from the right was consistently dangerous against Japan and it was his recovery of the ball high up the pitch that initiated the attack for Martinelli’s winner.

49. Vozinha — Cape Verde/free agent (re-entry)

The most coveted free agent this side of 40 not named LeBron James. Vozinha has been a revelation at this World Cup, not because he’s been perfect, but because he’s projected such an aura of calm. Messi couldn’t even ruffle that, and Vozinha denied him a couple of times.

50. Sidny Lopes Cabral — Cape Verde/Trabzonspor (new entry)

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