Ranking best remaining players in World Cup, from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Erling Haaland

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The World Cup has gone through some serious down-sizing in recent weeks, with the 48-team field shrinking to 32, then 16 and now just eight.

Each side that has emerged through the mire of the early knockout stages will believe in its ability to contend for the international trophy. There's reason to believe any of them could do it, although its hard to look past tournament favorites like France, Argentina, England, Spain and Morocco, all of whom look well-equipped to leave teams weary in the coming few rounds.

Ranking best remaining players in World Cup

10. Yassine Bounou, Morocco

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 8 goals, 0 assists

It's crowded at the top for goalkeepers, with Argentina Emi Martinez, England's Jordan Pickford, Spain's Unai Simon and France Mike Maignan all drawing praise at different points throughout their international career. Bounou is our choice for best goalkeeper, however, having made waves as a shot-stopper — particularly in penalty shootouts.

Bounou has the innate ability to throw opposition attackers off from the spot. The Canada-born 'keeper flaunted his penalty shootout exploits in Morocco's matchup with the Netherlands, turning two shots away — one of which came with Bounou standing upright.

In games like these where the margins are slim, you want a goalkeeper you can trust. Bounou is as reliable as they get from the penalty spot. That makes him the choice on the goal-line.

9. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 1 goal, 2 assists

Slated to stand trial in a rape case in Paris, Hakimi's presence at this year's World Cup has drawn concern. The Versailles appeal court said in a media statement that it ordered Morocco's captain to be formally charged with rape, with the court saying that investigations conducted during its inquiry has provided sufficient evidence against the player to stand trial.

Hakimi is the world's finest right back, making contributions on both ends of the pitch for PSG and Morocco. The Spain-born talent has had an up-and-down World Cup thus far, struggling to find the consistency that marked his displays for the Parisians.

Yet he remains one of the toughest players to mark in the Atlas Lions' attack, often flanking Brahim Diaz to great effect for Ouahbi's gilded attack. Hakimi has three goal contributions in five games for the Atlas Lions thus far. There's a case to be made that Hakimi should not be playing in the World Cup at all given the nature of the charges lodged against him. Assuming he plays, he is one of the competition's best talents, although it's entirely fair to question why he — like a handful of other players accused of sexual violence who attended this year's World Cup — is allowed to take part in the festivities.

8. Ismael Saibari, Morocco

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 3 goals, 0 assists

One of a handful of true breakout names to emerge during this year's tournament, Saibari is Morocco's leading goal-scorer through its first five games. The newly-minted Bayern Munich talent has often plied his trade in the midfield, coming to prominence as the most attack-minded player in the middle of PSV's park.

During the World Cup, he has emerged as Morocco's best forward. Saibari is the Atlas Lions' leading goal-scorer, collecting three in four games and some change. He's a slight doubt for the quarterfinals and beyond after being forced to exit Morocco's 3-0 win over Canada in the Round of 16. Nevertheless, he remains Mohamed Ouahbi's side's biggest threat with the ball in its possession.

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7. Lamine Yamal, Spain

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 1 goals, 0 assists

Yamal was tipped to have his true coming-out party during the 2026 World Cup. He hasn't quite hit those heights just yet, registering just one goal thus far.

Nevertheless, the 18-year-old wunderkind remains Spain's most dangerous player, routinely dancing into and out of space to open up shooting and crossing angles.

Yamal has all the counters to leave defenders weary. For him, it's just about turning his effectiveness into goals and assists. We'd like to think he'll find his footing before long in the latter rounds of the knockout stage.

6. Michael Olise, France

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 0 goals, 5 assists

Olise has been in devastating form for club and country, following up a wondrous 20-goal, 20-assist campaign with Bayern Munich with play-making displays like few others for Les Bleus.

Eligible to play for Nigeria, England and Algeria in addition to France, Olise has breathed additional life into an already-lively French attack, conjuring spells along the right flank. His left foot is a polemic, steeped in fire and precision. It has played a starring role in Didier Deschamps' setup, crafting more chances than most throughout the tournament.

Olise has a tournament-high five assists in this year's competition. Given the depth around him, it'll prove difficult to blight his influence fully during matches.

5. Jude Bellingham, England

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 4 goals, 1 assist

Like Kane, Bellingham is a clutch performer. With England on the ropes against Mexico, it was the Real Madrid supernova who tallied two goals in quick succession to get the Three Lions rolling. During the 2024 European Championships, Bellingham struck at the death with an equalizing bicycle kick to steer England past Slovakia in the Round of 16.

4. Harry Kane, England

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 6 goals, 2 assists

Haaland might have Kane beat in terms of goal-scoring prowess. But there's no doubt as to who is the better of the two when it comes to support play. Kane is something of a 9.5, dropping deeper into space to get involved in link-up play and set his teammates up for scoring opportunities. In addition to the six goals he has tallied thus far, the Bayern Munich man also has two assists, showcasing his play-making gifts.

Kane almost single-handedly led the Three Lions back in their Round of 32 rally against DR Congo. He scored the game-winning goal against Mexico, making the net move from the penalty spot. He is more than capable of leading England to new heights in this year's tournament.

3. Erling Haaland, Norway

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 7 goals, 0 assists

There were questions over how Haaland would perform in his first World Cup. He has hushed all doubts thus far, tallying seven goals to power Norway to a shock quarterfinals berth — the first in its history.

Haaland is sometimes miscast as a player who offers little outside of the box. He has the technical gifts to help link up play with his supporting cast. Still, he comes alive when the ball is bouncing around the goal-mouth. The Manchester City star is rapid, lanky and blessed with a vertical leap that would leave NBA players quivering. Norway's squad doesn't have the depth of some of its quarterfinals' counterparts. But it has Haaland, the sport's grandest goal-scorer. That might be enough to help the Norwegians dream bigger before this year's tourney is through.

2. Kylian Mbappe, France

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 7 goals, 2 assists

Four years after falling short of his second World Cup at the hands of Messi, Mbappe settles for second-place behind the Argentine supernova at the 2026 World Cup. The French star can feel good about his consolation prize, however. He's been arguably the competition's most effective player thus far, creating more goals than anyone else.

Mbappe endured a challenging display in France's Round of 16 clash with Paraguay. He still found a way to bag a goal from the penalty spot. His speed, endeavor on the flanks and up the middle and ball-striking makes him a goal-scoring machine — particularly against defenses fashioned with a high line. The 27-year-old has also struck a devastating partnership with Bayern Munich man Michael Olise, often pouncing on deft touches from the England-born winger.

1. Lionel Messi, Argentina

2026 World Cup stats (5 matches): 8 goals, 0 assists

At 39 years old, Lionel Messi is certainly in the twilight of his career. Such is the nature of his talent that his worsening performances are still better than any of his peers.

Argentina has not been nearly as ruthless as one might expect a defending World Cup champion to be, toiling for large periods against African powerhouses Cape Verde and Egypt. The fact that La Albiceleste advanced to the quarterfinals is largely due to its talisman's performances.

Messi has scored in every game he has played at this year's World Cup. He's on the longest scoring streak in World Cup history, firing home in each of his last eight World Cup fixtures.

All of that is to say, the Inter Miami star remains the sport's most impactful player. As long as he's on the field, he's likely to make an impact. Whether centrally or on the wing — as was the case against the Pharaohs — Messi continues to produce scoring chances. As long as that continues, he'll continue to be soccer's biggest standout.

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