Ranking Europe's top clubs by player performance at World Cup - ESPN

With the first round of games completed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it is clear which nations have started well. But which of Europe's top clubs can say the same?

Many of the continent's biggest teams have sent a host of players to the finals, which gives fans the chance to not only root for their country, but for the players that represent their beloved club too.

With that in mind, let's have a little fun and rank the teams based on how well their players have performed over the opening round of fixtures.

Note: Players are contracted to their current clubs until June 30, so impending free agents or expiring loanees still count toward the team they played for in the 2025-26 season. For example: Bernardo Silva still counts for Manchester City despite officially signing for Real Madrid, and Nicolas Jackson counts for Bayern Munich, not Chelsea, as his loan is not yet finished.

City had a whopping 15 players in action in the first round of games at the World Cup, but only a handful can claim to have played to a leading level. The clear highlight was Erling Haaland's brace for Norway in the 4-1 win over Iraq, while Spain midfielder Rodri held up his end of the bargain, completing 115 passes and shutting off counterattacks, despite the 0-0 draw with minnows Cape Verde.

Most of the rest of City's player put in middling showings, but a couple visibly struggled: Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders was ineffective for Netherlands' 2-2 draw vs. Japan, and center back John Stones (who is leaving this summer) looked rusty for England in the 4-2 win over Croatia, so City ended up ranking quite low here.

Several of Spain's players failed to hit the requisite levels in their shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, but not Cucurella. He might be on