Top 50 Players From The 2026 World Cup Ahead Of The Final

Best World Cup ever? Best World Cup ever. The world's greatest have thrived this summer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, led by an untouchable constellation of stars.

Ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina, we ranked the 50 best players in the tournament. Most of the players toward the top of this list are already household names and are among the world's best. Others, though, have broken out and became stars during the tournament.

We start our list with a player who fits that bill and is poised to be a star for Mexico moving forward … but who will come in at number one? 

50.

Gilberto Mora is the future of El Tri. (Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The 17-year-old Mexican talent entered the World Cup with an opportunity to establish himself as one of the brightest young players in international football. 

Mora had already broken into Tijuana’s first team, making 20 Liga MX appearances and scoring six goals during the season, while his performances attracted interest from several major European clubs.

Mexico carefully managed Mora during the early stages of the tournament, introducing him from the bench in the opening match against South Africa. He was then handed his first start in the final group-stage match against Czechia before retaining his place for the knockout games against Ecuador and England.

Mora displayed remarkable composure, technical quality and creativity for a player of his age. He finished the tournament with four appearances and three starts, becoming the youngest Mexican to play at a World Cup and the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match. 

Mora's performances confirmed his enormous potential and further increased the interest surrounding his future.

49.

Vitinha