Top 50 Players to Watch at the Upcoming World Cup

2 weeks ago 0

Get ready for unparalleled World Cup coverage through The Athletic app. Over the next five weeks, a list of the top 50 players will be updated using The Athletic’s player ratings model. This tool will give an objective look at each player’s match contributions during the summer tournament in North America. Before the first match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday, here is an initial ranking of the players to watch.

Note: This isn’t a list of the top 50 most talented players at the tournament alone. Performance, fitness, and likelihood of playing also play a crucial role.

Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.

Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain
Despite limited play in 2025-26, Dembele crucially delivered for PSG in Champions League matches. The current Ballon d’Or winner deserves recognition.
Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich
Kane excelled last season, scoring 61 goals for Bayern and playing as the team’s No. 10. His role in England’s attack will be similar.
Lamine Yamal — Spain/Barcelona
Yamal’s significant contribution without a partner like Kane cements his importance for Spain and Barcelona, even as he turns 19 during the World Cup.
Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich
Olise emerged as a serious Ballon d’Or candidate, troubling Bundesliga and Champions League defenses alike with his dynamic play.
Vitinha — Portugal/PSG
A key player in Europe’s top club, Vitinha’s passing ability underpins Portugal’s strong midfield, reminiscent of Xavi’s style.
Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid
Mbappe faces new expectations as France’s third-rated attacker. His scoring prowess is crucial if he aligns his play with the team.
Gabriel — Brazil/Arsenal
Rated highly for his defensive talents, Gabriel’s aerial ability and intelligence are vital, avoiding unnecessary fouls is key.
Pedri — Spain/Barcelona
The tactical brain of both Barcelona and Spain, Pedri excels in controlling possession and making incisive passes, already at his fifth major tournament.
Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/PSG
Regarded as the best right-back worldwide, Hakimi combines speed, athleticism, and skill to impact both offense and defense.
Bruno Fernandes — Portugal/Manchester United
Fernandes’ creativity, especially from set pieces, makes him a key figure, delivering assists precisely where they are needed.
Luis Diaz — Colombia/Bayern Munich
Diaz’s career-best season highlighted his comprehensive attacking skills, enhancing his goal-scoring abilities significantly.
Declan Rice — England/Arsenal
Recognized for his presence, Rice can push forward effectively, coordinating the midfield with expert set-piece execution.
Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City
Despite a less dominant season, Haaland’s 38 goals reaffirm his importance, essential for Norway’s World Cup hopes.
Nuno Mendes — Portugal/PSG
As the world’s top left-back, Mendes offers Portugal offensive support while his recovery speed minimizes defensive vulnerabilities.
Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid
Consistently a top scorer for Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr remains Brazil’s go-to attacker, though defensive contributions could improve.
Joshua Kimmich — Germany/Bayern Munich
Versatile and skilled, Kimmich’s contributions as right-back still enable him to drive Germany’s World Cup ambitions.
William Saliba — France/Arsenal
Saliba’s calm, all-around game anchors Arsenal’s defense. He will add strength to France’s defensive prowess.
Willian Pacho — Ecuador/PSG
Notable for his performances for both PSG and Ecuador, Pacho exemplifies a modern, understated defender.
Jude Bellingham — England/Real Madrid
Though injury-affected, Bellingham’s talent is undeniable. His play will be vital for England’s World Cup journey.
Federico Valverde — Uruguay/Real Madrid
With dynamic versatility, Valverde is essential for Uruguay’s midfield, demonstrated by a standout Champions League performance.
Raphinha — Brazil/Barcelona
A multi-skilled winger, Raphinha offers relentless work rate and creative spark, filling a vital role for Brazil in both attack and defense.
Jonathan Tah — Germany/Bayern Munich
Tah’s physical dominance is key for Germany, providing defensive leadership necessary for success at the World Cup.
Thibaut Courtois — Belgium/Real Madrid
Courtois’ experienced goalkeeping will be a crucial ally for Belgium’s squad as they navigate a competitive tournament.
Dayot Upamecano — France/Bayern Munich
Upamecano’s speed and passing contribute to his strength in a modern defense, supporting France’s ambition.
Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami
An older genius, Messi continues to impact games with experience and skills. His role depends on the pace of the tournament.
Enzo Fernandez — Argentina/Chelsea
Despite club uncertainty, Fernandez’s passing expertise remains central to Argentina’s tactics, complementing Messi.
Antoine Semenyo — Ghana/Manchester City
Semenyo adapted smoothly to his new club, showing versatility and goal-scoring capability, key for Ghana’s campaign.
Virgil van Dijk — Netherlands/Liverpool
Known for his defensive intellect, Van Dijk leads the Netherlands. His passing and tactical insight remain elite.
Desire Doue — France/PSG
Doue’s diverse talents and potential Ballon d’Or calibre might not guarantee a starting role for France.
Joao Neves — Portugal/PSG
Neves offers reliability and intelligence, key attributes that enhance a team’s competitive edge at high levels.
Bukayo Saka — England/Arsenal
Even with a slight Achilles issue, Saka’s decision-making and accuracy provide England with consistent quality in attack.
Moises Caicedo — Ecuador/Chelsea
Caicedo’s form dipped slightly in 2026 but his overall skill set still boosts Ecuador’s dark horse potential.
Jeremy Doku — Belgium/Manchester City
Doku’s speed and directness drive City’s play, though his varying effectiveness in assists separates him from top-tier wingers.
Florian Wirtz — Germany/Liverpool
Wirtz’s major league transition remains challenging, yet he consistently contributes for Germany.
Yan Diomande — Ivory Coast/RB Leipzig
Diomande rose to prominence with breakout performances and comes into the World Cup with elite interest.
Fabian Ruiz — Spain/PSG
Injury may have unexpectedly refreshed Ruiz, who remains a valuable multifaceted midfielder for Spain’s ambitions.
Julian Alvarez — Argentina/Atletico Madrid
Known for much more than goal-scoring, Alvarez complements Messi effectively through movement and pressing.
Martin Odegaard — Norway/Arsenal
Odegaard’s creative potential remains vital as Norway seeks to make an impact, despite limited final-third influence.
Rayan Cherki — France/Manchester City
Joy to watch, Cherki may not start but serves as a powerful option off the bench for France.
Bernardo Silva — Portugal/Manchester City
Silva’s intelligence and adaptability enhance tactical variety for Portugal, compensating for productivity concerns in attack.
Marquinhos — Brazil/PSG
A stalwart leader, Marquinhos’ reading of the game boosts Brazil’s defensive stability.
Mohamed Salah — Egypt/Liverpool
Salah faces a redemption arc following a difficult season, requiring notable impact for Egypt’s aspirations.
Piero Hincapie — Ecuador/Arsenal
Defensive reliability marks Hincapie’s play. His potential at center-back could shape Ecuador’s defensive core.
Rodri — Spain/Manchester City
Despite injury setbacks, Rodri remains a strategic force in Spain’s midfield, building on previous successes.
Arda Guler — Turkey/Real Madrid
Guler’s rising influence is amplified by a key creative role for Turkey, showcasing flair and precision.
Ruben Dias — Portugal/Manchester City
Atested, Dias’ experience offers Portugal defensive solidity essential for a competitive tournament.
Hakan Calhanoglu — Turkey/Inter
With a key playmaking role, Calhanoglu’s dead-ball skills offer Turkey significant scoring opportunities.
Jamal Musiala — Germany/Bayern Munich
After injury struggles, Musiala’s creative synergy with Wirtz is crucial for Germany’s aspirations.
Nico Paz — Argentina/Como
Paz was instrumental at Como, but must navigate within Argentina’s established squad to provide valuable contributions.
Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal/Al Nassr
Ronaldo’s legacy continues as he determines his role, impacting Portugal’s prospects with strategic play.