# 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!

*By YPB Team · Published July 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-14-best-players-of-the-2026-world-cup*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Jude Bellingham** — score 1000/1000
   England's talismanic midfielder and a best-XI selection.
2. **Rodri** — score 1000/1000
   Spain's midfield general won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
3. **Pau Cubarsi** — score 1000/1000
   Spain's teenage defender named the tournament's Best Young Player.
4. **Harry Kane** — score 789/1000
   England's captain and record scorer leading the line up front.
5. **Lionel Messi** — score 789/1000
   Argentina's 39-year-old icon took the Silver Ball on his last World Cup.
6. **Erling Haaland** — score 684/1000
   Norway's goal-machine leading their attack on the world stage.
7. **Kevin De Bruyne** — score 684/1000
   Belgium's creative leader on his final World Cup, driving their run to the quarter-finals.
8. **Kylian Mbappe** — score 684/1000
   France's superstar won the Golden Boot with ten goals and took the Bronze Ball.
9. **Lamine Yamal** — score 684/1000
   Spain's teenage sensation whose dribbling and fearlessness transformed the champions.
10. **Ferran Torres** — score 560/1000
   Scored the extra-time winner in the final to seal Spain's title.
11. **Pedri** — score 410/1000
   Spain's elegant orchestrator who controlled midfield throughout the run to glory.
12. **Vinicius Junior** — score 410/1000
   Brazil's electric winger and one of the tournament's most dangerous attackers.
13. **Cole Palmer** — score 228/1000
   England's ice-cool creator who produced key moments in the knockouts.
14. **Unai Simon** — score 228/1000
   Spain's goalkeeper won the Golden Glove for the best tournament between the posts.

Tags: football, players, world cup, 2026