FIFA POWER RANKINGS
ROUND OF 16

World Cup 2026 is heading towards an exciting finish with just eight teams left in the competition and four intriguing quarter-final ties coming up next in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

After an action-packed round of 16, it’s France stars Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano who currently lead the way in the latest FIFA Power Rankings, powered by Aramco.

ATTACKING:
Mbappe stays top but Bellingham is on the rise

Mbappe remains in top spot in the attacking category, ahead of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, with a score of 8.72. The Real Madrid superstar scored the only goal of the game as France beat Paraguay 1-0 and put four of his five attempts on goal on target to seal progression.

Lionel Messi is just behind with a score of 8.45 after scoring his eighth goal of World Cup 2026 to stay top of the Golden Boot standings. The 39-year-old also bagged an assist in the game as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback to beat Egypt 3-2. Yet Messi also does plenty more for his team and helps connect the Argentina attack, as highlighted by his five completed ball progressions and 15 completed line breaks against Egypt.

On the rise in the attacking category is England star Jude Bellingham following his performance against co-hosts Mexico. The Real Madrid superstar moves up 17 places to sit in sixth place after an outing where he had half of England’s six attempts on goal, was on target with all of his efforts and scored twice in a dramatic win for the Three Lions.

CREATIVITY:
Schjelderup shining as Olise remains unmatched

Olise remains unmatched in the creativity category with a score of 8.19 after another influential showing. The Bayern Munich man completed 58 of 63 passes, made 12 line breaks and three ball progressions against Paraguay to keep France in dangerous areas on the pitch and provide a regular supply line to his team’s forwards.

Perhaps surprisingly, Florian Wirtz moves up into second place on 7.59 despite not featuring in the last 16 as Germany’s World Cup dreams were ended in the previous round by Paraguay. Despite the defeat, Wirtz’s creativity was still on show. Against Paraguay, Wirtz grabbed an assist, completed 67 of 88 passes, five ball progressions and broke the lines 16 times.

The biggest movement in the creativity category comes courtesy of Norway winger Andreas Schjelderup who moves up 37 places and is now ranked fifth after his team’s victory over Brazil. While Erling Haaland stole the headlines with his two goals, Schjelderup’s contribution was vital as he provided two assists, completed 25 of 26 passes and broke the lines seven times.

DEFENDING:
Upamecano knocks Rodri off top spot

France make it a hat-trick of top spots in the FIFA Power Rankings, powered by Aramco, thanks to Dayot Upamecano knocking Spain midfielder Rodri off top spot in the defending category. Upamecano moves into first place with a score of 7.68 after another strong showing in the last 16 against Paraguay.

Upamecano managed five blocks, five tackles, five interceptions and regained possession 10 times in the Round of 16 as France squeezed past Paraguay. The centre-back played a key role in protecting France’s goal but also helped his team control the game through possession, completing 60 of 66 passes and 13 line breaks.

Rodri remains in second place with a score of 7.60 following another clean sheet for Spain against Portugal. La Roja are through to the quarter-finals as the only team left in the tournament yet to concede. Rodri’s 20 tackles and eight blocks against Portugal highlight how he stops danger early, while he is also crucial when it comes to retaining possession and keeping the ball.

The top three is completed by Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui who has moved into the top 10 after a 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada. Mazraoui was vital to the clean sheet with an excellent performance defending his flank. The Manchester United man produced six clearances, six blocks, seven possession regains and won five of eight aerial duels as Morocco made history by becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals at successive World Cups.

GOALKEEPERS:
Costa and Williams lead the way

South Africa were knocked out of the World Cup in the Round of 32 but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams retains top spot in the In Possession category for goalkeepers with a score of 8.21. Bafana Bafana used their goalkeeper to progress the ball throughout the tournament. In the Round of 32, Williams completed 77 of 86 passes and 10 line breaks in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada.

In the Defending the Goal category, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa takes top spot after an excellent shot-stopping display against Spain. La Roja needed a late goal from Mikel Merino to progress after being largely frustrated by Costa who made five saves from six shots faced and recorded 15 goal preventions.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is also into the top 10 in both categories after an eye-catching display against Mexico. The Everton stopper not only made three saves from five shots faced but also played an important role with the ball at his feet. England only managed 31.5% possession during the game but Pickford’s distribution was important, with the Everton man completing 10 line breaks in a memorable 3-2 win that has sent England through to a quarter-final against Norway.