The 13 Best Midfielders at the 2026 World Cup

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!

1. 1
   Rodri

   Spain's metronome won the Golden Ball, completing more passes than anyone at the tournament.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Alexis Mac Allister

   Argentina's tireless all-rounder alongside Fernandez in the middle.
   724pts
3. 3
   Jude Bellingham

   England's driving midfielder, named in the tournament's best XI.
   689pts
4. 4
   Kevin De Bruyne

   Belgium's creative leader on his last World Cup, scoring and creating on their run to the quarter-finals.
   597pts
5. 5
   Pedri

   Orchestrated Spain's midfield with elegance and control on the way to the title.
   596pts
6. 6
   Frenkie de Jong

   The Netherlands' press-resistant metronome gliding out of midfield.
   517pts
7. 7
   Jamal Musiala

   Germany's dribbling creator who lit up the tournament between the lines.
   517pts
8. 8
   Federico Valverde

   Uruguay's all-action midfielder covering every blade of grass.
   310pts
9. 9
   Cole Palmer

   England's cool-headed creator drifting in from the right into midfield spaces.
   310pts
10. 10
    Aurelien Tchouameni

    France's composed defensive midfielder at the base of their engine room.
    310pts
11. 11
    Declan Rice

    England's ball-winning anchor who shielded the defence throughout the tournament.
    310pts
12. 12
    Enzo Fernandez

    Argentina's midfield conductor as they reached the final.
    172pts
13. 13
    Florian Wirtz

    Germany's inventive playmaker linking midfield and attack.
    172pts