The engine rooms decided the 2026 World Cup — from the Golden Ball-winning metronome who out-passed everyone to the box-crashing creators and elegant orchestrators. Who ran the middle of the park best across the tournament? Cast your vote!
1RodriSpain's metronome won the Golden Ball, completing more passes than anyone at the tournament.1000pts
2Alexis Mac AllisterArgentina's tireless all-rounder alongside Fernandez in the middle.724pts
3Jude BellinghamEngland's driving midfielder, named in the tournament's best XI.689pts
4Kevin De BruyneBelgium's creative leader on his last World Cup, scoring and creating on their run to the quarter-finals.597pts
5PedriOrchestrated Spain's midfield with elegance and control on the way to the title.596pts
6Frenkie de JongThe Netherlands' press-resistant metronome gliding out of midfield.517pts
7Jamal MusialaGermany's dribbling creator who lit up the tournament between the lines.517pts
8Federico ValverdeUruguay's all-action midfielder covering every blade of grass.310pts
9Cole PalmerEngland's cool-headed creator drifting in from the right into midfield spaces.310pts
10Aurelien TchouameniFrance's composed defensive midfielder at the base of their engine room.310pts
11Declan RiceEngland's ball-winning anchor who shielded the defence throughout the tournament.310pts
12Enzo FernandezArgentina's midfield conductor as they reached the final.0pts
13Florian WirtzGermany's inventive playmaker linking midfield and attack.0pts
Comments 1
Rodri's Spain conceded one goal in eight matches in 2026, and De Bruyne's pass is how that goal happened: https://youpick.best/articles/how-many-ways-to-rank-kevin-de-bruyne https://youpick.best/articles/where-does-rodri-actually-rank
YP
ypb-teamAug 21
