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

Rodri

Spain's metronome won the Golden Ball, completing more passes than anyone at the tournament.

1000pts

2

Alexis Mac Allister

Argentina's tireless all-rounder alongside Fernandez in the middle.

724pts

3

Jude Bellingham

England's driving midfielder, named in the tournament's best XI.

689pts

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

Pedri

Orchestrated Spain's midfield with elegance and control on the way to the title.

596pts

6

Frenkie de Jong

The Netherlands' press-resistant metronome gliding out of midfield.

517pts

7

Jamal Musiala

Germany's dribbling creator who lit up the tournament between the lines.

517pts

8

Federico Valverde

Uruguay's all-action midfielder covering every blade of grass.

310pts

9

Cole Palmer

England's cool-headed creator drifting in from the right into midfield spaces.

310pts

10

Aurelien Tchouameni

France's composed defensive midfielder at the base of their engine room.

310pts

11

Declan Rice

England's ball-winning anchor who shielded the defence throughout the tournament.

310pts

12

Enzo Fernandez

Argentina's midfield conductor as they reached the final.

172pts

13

Florian Wirtz

Germany's inventive playmaker linking midfield and attack.

172pts