FIFA POWER RANKINGS ROUND 3

The group phase of World Cup 2026 has now been completed which means the latest FIFA Power Rankings, powered by Aramco, can now be revealed.

The scores show the players who have enjoyed the biggest impact on the tournament which has so far been characterised by France’s firepower, Spain’s defensive solidity and Argentina’s control.

ATTACKING:
Dembele on the rise as Undav stays top

Germany star Deniz Undav remains top of the attacking category with a score of 8.37, ahead of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, due to his sheer efficacy in front of goal. Undav has three goals and two assists from five attempts and has been involved in half of Germany’s 10 goals at the tournament.

Messi may be the competition’s leading goalscorer with six goals but he sits just behind Undav with a FIFA Power Ranking of 8.33. He has scored six of Argentina’s eight goals at the tournament, while his record of seven ball progressions and 21 line breaks highlights how he also links the attack.

The biggest rise in the attacking category from the third round of group games comes from France forward Ousmane Dembele. The Paris Saint-Germain star scored a hat-trick against Iraq to move into seventh place with a score of 7.52.

Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi also makes a first appearance in the attacking top 10. The Swiss are unbeaten so far and Manzambi has been involved in four of their seven goals. His three goals and one assist come from just six attempts on target and highlight his impact and end-product.

CREATIVITY:
Olise leads the way as Doku, Hannibal and Mbappe shine

France star Michael Olise is the top creator at the tournament so far with a score of 8.02 after proving himself to be the leading supply line for a team that is packed full of firepower. Olise has contributed three assists, completed 43 line breaks and 38 line breaks by pass, showing just how productive he has been for Les Bleus.

Elsewhere, there’s plenty of movement within the creativity category. Canada’s Nathan Saliba has jumped into second place by helping his side turn possession in chances. Saliba has a goal and two assists and has also racked up 20 line breaks completed by pass to secure a score of 7.53.

Bukayo Saka is also into the top 10 as his influence out wide has helped create chances for Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten England side. The Arsenal star has racked up two assists, completed eight ball progressions and seven successful take-ons, regularly moving his side forwards from his position out wide on the right.

Belgium's Jeremy Doku, Mbappe and Tunisia's Hannibal Mejbri are also big movers in the creativity category and feature in the top 10 following the completion of the group phase. Doku was one of the strongest ball-carrying creators in the group stage, regularly beating defenders and forcing opponents to retreat.

DEFENDING:
Rodri and Laporte on the move with Spain

Derek Cornelius ends the group stage as the top defender at World Cup 2026 with a score of 7.30. The Canada star's record of 26 possession regains and 21 clearances highlight his ability to snuff out danger when opponents attack.

Spain midfielder Rodri moves into second place with a score of 7.29 and is narrowly ahead of team-mate Aymeric Laporte on 7.24. La Roja are yet to concede a goal at the tournament and the two players have proved vital to the team’s defensive solidity and ability to retain possession.

There’s also a place in the top 10 for Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes. The Blue Sharks are the feel good story of the tournament so far after becoming the smallest country by population to reach the World Cup’s knockout stages.

Lopes and Cape Verde have been forced to absorb plenty of pressure throughout their three games but have conceded only twice. The defender has made 26 clearances and 13 blocks, while his 28 possession regains highlight how sturdy Lopes has been in the heart of the backline.

GOALKEEPERS:
Vozinha and Gill are the top stoppers

Goalkeepers are measured in two categories in the FIFA Power Rankings, with Cape Verde’s Vozinha top of the standings for the In Possession category, while Paraguay’s Orlando Gill sits in first place when it comes to the Defending the Goal metric.

Vozinha has emerged as an unlikely hero at World Cup 2026 and performs well in both categories. The 40-year-old has made nine saves from the 11 attempts at goal he has faced but has also impressed in possession. He has helped alleviate the pressure on his backline when on the ball and ends the group stage with a record of 34 line breaks and 91 passes.

When it comes to shot-stopping, Gill leads the way after saving 13 of the 16 attempts he has faced. The Paraguay stopper has also recorded 63 goal preventions and kept two clean sheets from three games played.

Following the completion of the group phase of World Cup 2026, the FIFA Power Rankings, powered by Aramco, continue to highlight those players who have provided a decisive impact on games and consistently influence matches across the tournament with their individual performances.