World Cup player rankings: Messi, Haaland, Mbappe? Who is No. 1 so far?
World Cup player rankings: Messi, Haaland, Mbappe? Who is No. 1 so far?
Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAYSun, June 28, 2026 at 12:42 PM UTC
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We've reached the World Cupknockout stage. But before we look ahead, let's take a look at which players have stood out so far.
There are the names you'd expect to see, but we've also included some surprises who have caught the eye.
More: World Cup round of 32 matches ranked from best to worst
Here are the top 10 players so far this tournament, games through June 27.
10. Deniz Undav, Germany
One of the tournament's feel-good stories, Undav was working in a factory and playing in Germany's fourth division before heading to Belgium, and eventually Brighton in the English Premier League, where he struggled to nail down a spot. A return to Germany reignited his career at Stuttgart and earned him a spot in this Germany team. He hasn't started either of Germany's first two games but has three goals and two assists so far... in just 69 minutes played. Among his goals is the winner in injury time against Ivory Coast.
9. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco
You probably hadn't heard of this 18-year-old central midfielder prior to the World Cup. And you still may not know his name. But study up. You're looking at a blossoming superstar. Don't believe me? Re-watch Morocco's opening game against Brazil. Bouaddi absolutely bossed the game against a midfield that included Casemiro (albeit aging) and Bruno Guimaraes. Don't expect the Lille starlet to spend much more time in Ligue 1 with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal linked.
8. Ismael Saibari, Morocco
Let's stick with the Atlas Lions. You won't find two better finishes than ones Saibari put in the back of the net against Brazil and Scotland (Man of the Match in both games). He added another goal in Morocco's final group stage game against Haiti. The 25-year-old forward has scored 26 times in the Eredivisie over the past two seasons, and it's no wonder Bayern Munich was quick to secure his services this summer.
7. Vinicius Junior, Brazil
This is not a vintage Brazil team. But what the A Seleção always has is flair. Vinicius Junior has four goals so far this tournament, scoring in each of Brazil's group stage matches.
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6. Lamine Yamal, Spain
The Spanish looked lifeless without Yamal in their drab 0-0 draw to open vs. Cape Verde (he came on as a sub in the 71st minute). The 18-year-old star has been nursing a hamstring injury, but after that stinker, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente put Yamal back into the starting lineup against Saudi Arabia. The result? Spain up 3-0 within the game's first 25 minutes and Yamal being about to sit after halftime. It's just a taste of what's to come if the Spanish are to make a deep run.
5. Folarin Balugon, United States
Maybe a bit of a homer pick here, but Balugon has been everything the USMNT could have hoped when we made the switch from England to represent the Red, White and Blue. He helped the U.S. get off to a blazing start with two goals in the 4-1 win over Paragauy and it was his run and dangerous ball into the box that Australia turned into its own net for the American's first goal in the 2-0 win over the Aussies. The striker market is limited this summer, so expect Balogun to be among the most sought after forwards after the World Cup. He sat out the Americans' meaningless final group stage.
4. Michael Olise, France
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are getting the goals, but Olise shares the tournament lead with three assists, and beyond the stats, just watch the games. He's electric. Full disclosure: he was my pre-tournament Golden Ball pick, so I'm leaning in here, but fresh off a monster season at Bayern Munich, Olise is carrying over that form to the World Cup. If France wins the World Cup, Mbappe will likely get the headlines, but it'll be Olise that made it happen.
3. Erling Haaland, Norway
He scores. And scores. And scores. He;s netted 59 times in 52 games for Norway and has four already through two games in this World Cup. He's strong, fast and devastating in the air. A true defender's nightmare. Already having qualified for the knockout stage, the Norwegians rested Haaland in the final group stage match, which could affect his push for the Golden Boot.
2. Lionel Messi, Argentina
I know, how could a player with six goals through three games not be No. 1? I guess personal preference. But Messi has once again proven age is just a number. The 39-year-old maestro has been on fire for Argentina, opening with a hat trick against Algeria. He hasn't been perfect (see: missed penalty), and he's not been the busy gnat harassing opponents. But he's so clinical in the final third and finished the group stage with a free kick goal off the bench.
1. Kylian Mbappe, France
After a sluggish start in the opening half vs. Senegal, the French kicked into gear, primarily spurred on by the brilliance of Michael Olise. Olise set up Mbappe's first goal with an inch-perfect pass. Mbappe has scored three more so far this tournament, including a bomb from outside the box vs. Iraq. He added two assists in the final group stage game vs. Norway. The French attack is so loaded with the likes of Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue it's almost not fair.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup top player rankings: Is Messi, Mbappe, Haaland No. 1?
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