Best Player in the World 2026: Top 10 Football Players (Ranked)

Since football is an ever-evolving game, deciding the best player in the world for a certain time period always proves to be a challenging mental exercise. The title for best player in the world 2026 can be awarded based on the level of performance an individual footballer has produced in important matches. We have decided to take stats-backed evidence of footballers' form over a particular timeframe as a primary factor to identify the best footballers in the world in 2026.

Whether it's the no. of goals, assists, passing accuracy, or clean sheets, in which competition a particular player reaches such an exceptional level of performance. Though racking up impressive numbers consistently across different metrics is a crucial factor, in the end, a player winning silverware is also a vital factor. However, a player's impact cannot be undermined. That being said, let's find out “Who is the best player in the world 2026?”

List of Best Player in the World 2026

Let's have a look at the compiled top 10 list below that we have created after considering the overall stats of the 2024-25 season and performances till the end of 2025 from the ongoing 2025-26 season.

How We Ranked Best Player in the World 2026?

Below is the methodology for determining the best player in the world in 2026. You will gain a detailed understanding of the ranking factors considered by us, with the primary factor being goals and assists, followed by the measurement of a player's impact on their club & national team, as well as major trophies won.

• Performance stats: Performance statistics such as goal involvements, passing accuracy, chance creation, and average ratings of a player have been considered as the primary ranking factor while compiling the list of best footballers in the world.
• Honours: Besides stats, we have considered the individual honours as the second factor in deciding the best footballers in the world; it's an indication of that player's consistent performance throughout the years.

• Impact on the team: The Third ranking factor to pick the best football player in the world 2026 must leave an everlasting impact on the club or country with his game-changing and influential performances.

  Note: The mentioned numbers are taken from trusted and reputable sources like Transfermarkt, fbref and Sportsdunia.

Who is the Best Player in the World 2026?

Now that we have finished giving an in-depth insight into important factors taken into consideration. Let's have a look and find out why these footballers find themselves on the rankings.

10. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)

The Egyptian King Mohamed Salah has once again proved himself as an elite-level footballer, courtesy of his record-shattering performance in the 2024-25 season in the Premier League. Salah is 4th in the Premier League's all-time goalscorers list with 190 goals, and continues to deliver 20+ goals every season for Liverpool since he arrived. Salah's movement inside the box & finishing have only gotten better over the years.

Last season, the Egyptian international led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title and also won the Premier League Golden Boot. One of the best right wingers in the world, Salah, has not been able to shift into top gear. Displaying his creative ability and sheer finishing, he has added 9 goal involvements in 20 appearances in all competitions. While being away for the 2025 AFCON, he is leading Egypt to the knockouts of the competition. His return will be a boost for the Reds in their title defence.

9. Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)

What a remarkable 2024-25 season the Scotland star midfielder Scott McTominay recorded in Naples, representing the SSC Napoli badge. Due to a lack of gametime at his boyhood club Manchester United, where he spent 22 years in total, he moved to Italy, signing a contract with Napoli. A transfer that changed his fortune. Under the tutelage of Antonio Conte, he relished the opportunity as a box-to-box midfielder, winning the Serie A Player of the Year.

McTominay was by far the best performer in the Italian top flight, netting 12 goals and providing 6 assists to guide the Gli Azzurri to their 2nd Scudetto in 3 seasons. The 29-year-old was a menace off the ball by displaying calculated physicality, aggression and relentless work rate. It proves that in the right environment, a footballer can thrive to be in the list of the top 10 best player in the world 2026. He has extended his stellar form to this term as well.

8. Pedri (Barcelona & Spain)

Only a handful of elite midfielders in football can dictate the tempo of the midfield like Barcelona ace Pedri. He brings endless energy, crucial ball recoveries, dynamism and the ability to create space and chances from the middle. It would not be reasonable if the best Barcelona player this season did not make it to best player in the world 2026 rankings. The Spaniard has been a vital cog in the midfield setup of Hansi Flick, having already led them to a domestic treble last season.

Pedri is outstanding with his ball progression, passing, and playing key balls to threaten the backline. He was instrumental in helping Barcelona win all 4 Clásicos against Real Madrid as his club won the La Liga. Meanwhile, in this campaign, Barcelona were trailing in the initial few months in the LaLiga points table. The 23-year-old midfielder has inspired his side to reclaim their spot as the table toppers to defend their championship in the 2025-26 campaign.

7. Erling Haaland (Man City & Norway)

At 7th place, we have Manchester City's prolific goal getter, Erling Haaland, who has been a serial record-smasher. From his youth days to exploits in Austria with RB Salzburg, to banging goals week in week out for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund. Recently, the Norway international added another remarkable feat of achieving the fastest 100-goal tally in the English top flight in this campaign. Thus, he secures a place here as the best player in the world 2026.

Haaland endured a challenging season by his personal and Man City's benchmark standard, losing their Premier League title to Liverpool and, Community Shield to Crystal Palace. The clinical striker is currently on a tremendous scoring spree of 25 goals in 26 outings across all competitions, reflecting his eagerness to bounce back. Thanks to the superb 2025-26 performances, the Norwegian has cemented a spot among best player in the world 2026 and returns to the 2026 Ballon d'Or race.

6. Vitinha (PSG & Portugal)

The Portuguese magnifico Vitinha has taken his game to new heights by showing unmatched levels of consistency & versatility on the pitch for both club and country. A standout figure in the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain that claimed the continental treble, he was the orchestrator in the middle of the park. The Parisians recorded a historic season, clinching the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

He is finally gaining the spotlight after he managed a third-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. At PSG, Luis Enrique deployed Vitinha in the number 8 role, as a box-to-box midfielder or even as a pivot, Vitinha has excelled in every role. This term, the 25-year-old midfielder has adopted a commanding role, sitting deeper, dictating the flow of the game. His awareness, and technical ability with the ball and impeccable passing range make him one of the finest operators in midfield. He is amongst best football player in the world.

5. Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)

It's not surprising when you see a 26-year-old midfielder in his prime, staking his claim to be best football player in the world 2026. Arsenal star Declan Rice is currently topping the charts of the best Premier League midfielders, delivering consistent performances at club and international level. Known for his ball distribution and passing ability, defensive coverage, he also brings leadership skills to his game, along with physicality to deal with the Premier League's high-intensity football.

Rice first proved himself at West Ham United, guiding them to a UEFA Conference League triumph before securing a record-breaking transfer to fellow London club Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has permitted the Englishmen with the license to roam all over the pitch, play as a pivot and a box-to-box role. Declan has played a key part in Gunner's current form, occupying the top spot in the EPL points table, and they are favourites to win the UCL. In addition, he has 11 goal contributions in 24 appearances this season.

4. Ousmane Dembele (PSG & France)

In the 2024-25 season, it goes without saying that French forward Ousmane Dembele retained his status among the world's best footballers after overcoming frequent injury layoffs, controversies & failures. He enjoyed his career's best individual campaign, scoring 35 times in total while making 53 appearances. Subsequently, PSG lifted the Champions League, Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions and Coupe de France under Luis Enrique's management.

Dembele also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2025 and the FIFA Best Player award, thanks to his incredible performance throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Though the French champions PSG failed to win the Club World Cup, losing the final to Chelsea, they responded with UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup success. The ex-Barca winger has had an underwhelming 2025-26 season due to injury and fitness woes.

3. Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona & Spain)

Ever since his inclusion in the first team operations at Barcelona, Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal has taken the world of football by storm with his talent. The winger has the pace and skills of an ever-enthusiastic youngster & the maturity of a veteran as he has already cemented his position as an indispensable player for the Blaugrana. His consistently eye-catching performances mean that he is already in the mix to be called best football player in the world.

In fact, he stated his ambitions clearly, that he aims to win the Ballon d'Or not once but multiple times. Yamal made a staggering 43 goal contributions in all competitions, which took the entire Europe by storm as Barcelona went on to sweep all the domestic trophies in Spain. At 18, the teenager cemented his place as the best young football player in the world, and if he maintains this consistency, then he will keep his place in best player in the world 2026 list.

2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid & France)

At a prime age of 26, France's record goalscorer Kylian Mbappe has refined his art of finishing to an even greater level after joining Real Madrid in 2024. Instead of being deployed as a left-winger, which has been his preferred position, he was deployed as a number nine by then Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti. The former PSG forward did what he always does best, and that is scoring goals consistently for his club.

In his debut season at Santiago Bernabeu, Mbappe solidified his position in the list of top 10 best player in the world 2026 by scoring an astonishing 44 goals across all competitions. As a result of his exceptional performance in front of goals, he ended up winning the European Golden Shoe. The Frenchman would have climbed higher in our rankings had Real Madrid won more than just a UEFA Super Cup. He has been a sublime form this season. Will he be able to clinch major titles with club and country?

1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)

The England National team captain Harry Kane. has been doing wonders in Bayern Munich, bagging a substantial goal tally while operating upfront as a centre forward. Kane is a complete striker, renowned for his fantastic link-up play, finishing, sharp movement, and aerial prowess.

His vision helps him to play line-breaking passes. The Englishman tops the list of best player in the world 2026.

Last season, the 32-year-old striker provided 14 assists along with 41 goals in all competitions during the 2024-25 season. Not only that, the ex-Tottenham star lifted his first major trophy, the 2024-25 Bundesliga title, ending his long wait for a major trophy. Carrying his rich vein of form into the summer's FIFA Club World Cup as well as into the current season, where he has already scored 30 goals in all competitions so far. Moreover, he ranks amongst the best strikers in the world in 2026.