# 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!

*By YPB Team · Published July 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-13-best-midfielders-at-the-2026-world-cup*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Rodri** — score 1000/1000
   Spain's metronome won the Golden Ball, completing more passes than anyone at the tournament.
2. **Alexis Mac Allister** — score 724/1000
   Argentina's tireless all-rounder alongside Fernandez in the middle.
3. **Jude Bellingham** — score 689/1000
   England's driving midfielder, named in the tournament's best XI.
4. **Kevin De Bruyne** — score 597/1000
   Belgium's creative leader on his last World Cup, scoring and creating on their run to the quarter-finals.
5. **Pedri** — score 596/1000
   Orchestrated Spain's midfield with elegance and control on the way to the title.
6. **Frenkie de Jong** — score 517/1000
   The Netherlands' press-resistant metronome gliding out of midfield.
7. **Jamal Musiala** — score 517/1000
   Germany's dribbling creator who lit up the tournament between the lines.
8. **Federico Valverde** — score 310/1000
   Uruguay's all-action midfielder covering every blade of grass.
9. **Cole Palmer** — score 310/1000
   England's cool-headed creator drifting in from the right into midfield spaces.
10. **Aurelien Tchouameni** — score 310/1000
   France's composed defensive midfielder at the base of their engine room.
11. **Declan Rice** — score 310/1000
   England's ball-winning anchor who shielded the defence throughout the tournament.
12. **Enzo Fernandez** — score 172/1000
   Argentina's midfield conductor as they reached the final.
13. **Florian Wirtz** — score 172/1000
   Germany's inventive playmaker linking midfield and attack.

Tags: football, world cup, 2026, midfielders