The 14 Best Players of the 2026 World Cup

Spain lifted the trophy but the tournament belonged to more than one man — a Golden Ball-winning midfielder, a 39-year-old chasing the fairytale, the all-time leading scorer and a teenage sensation. Who was the true star of the 2026 World Cup? Cast your vote!

1

Jude Bellingham

England's talismanic midfielder and a best-XI selection.

1000pts

2

Rodri

Spain's midfield general won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

1000pts

3

Pau Cubarsi

Spain's teenage defender named the tournament's Best Young Player.

1000pts

4

Harry Kane

England's captain and record scorer leading the line up front.

789pts

5

Lionel Messi

Argentina's 39-year-old icon took the Silver Ball on his last World Cup.

789pts

6

Erling Haaland

Norway's goal-machine leading their attack on the world stage.

684pts

7

Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium's creative leader on his final World Cup, driving their run to the quarter-finals.

684pts

8

Kylian Mbappe

France's superstar won the Golden Boot with ten goals and took the Bronze Ball.

684pts

9

Lamine Yamal

Spain's teenage sensation whose dribbling and fearlessness transformed the champions.

684pts

10

Ferran Torres

Scored the extra-time winner in the final to seal Spain's title.

560pts

11

Pedri

Spain's elegant orchestrator who controlled midfield throughout the run to glory.

410pts

12

Vinicius Junior

Brazil's electric winger and one of the tournament's most dangerous attackers.

410pts

13

Cole Palmer

England's ice-cool creator who produced key moments in the knockouts.

228pts

14

Unai Simon

Spain's goalkeeper won the Golden Glove for the best tournament between the posts.

228pts