Ranking the 10 best players remaining in the World Cup semifinals

Jul 13, 2026 - 10:25

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A 39-year old chasing one last World Cup trophy. A 27-year-old trying to take the crown off him. A 23-year-old dragging England toward history and an 18-year old who bends entire defenses without touching the ball. The World Cup semifinals have gathered the four best teams in the FIFA rankings for the first time ever, and more to the point for this exercise, they're matching the best players in the sport against each other.

France plays Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. England meets defending champion Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta. The winners meet Sunday, Jul 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Here's the 10 best players still standing:

1. Lionel Messi, Argentina

Eight goals in six matches, including a hat trick against Algeria that tied the World Cup's all-time scoring record and a goal against Austria that broke it. At one point he had scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches, a streak nobody in the tournament's history has touched. The legs might be 39 years old, but the left foot is timeless.

2. Kylian Mbappe, France

Also eight goals, plus three assists, and the betting favorite for both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. His goals against Senegal and Morocco both belong in the goal-of-the-tournament conversation. France has outscored opponents 16-2, and he is the biggest reason why.

3. Jude Bellingham, England

Six goals, with goals in back-to-back knockout matches, the latest a two-goal rescue act against Norway that even Erling Haaland tipped his cap to. The 23-year-old is playing like the best attacking midfielder alive at the exact moment England needs him to.

4. Harry Kane, England

Six goals of his own, enough to pass Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading World Cup scorer. The captain carried England past Congo almost single-handedly in the round of 32. He is coming off a 61-goal club season at Bayern Munich. England and France are the only teams left with two players at five goals or more.

5. Ousmane Dembele, France

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner had never scored at a World Cup before this one. He has five now, including a first-half hat trick against Norway in the group stage, and he added another goal in the quarterfinal win over Morocco.

6. Julian Alvarez, Argentina

His 112th-minute goal from outside the box broke Switzerland in the quarterfinal, the latest entry in a tournament full of clutch Argentine moments. Big games keep finding him and he keeps answering.

7. Michael Olise, France

Leads the tournament in assists and has been the creative engine humming underneath the Mbappe and Dembele fireworks. While they get the highlights for finishing, Olise is the man who sets them up.

8. Mikel Oyarzabeal, Spain

Spain's top scorer at this tournament with four goals, delivered in pairs. He had a pair against Saudi Arabia in the group stage and another against Austria in the round of 32. He is also the man who beat England in the Euro 2024 final. He has a quiet reputation, but he's been a loud force for Spain.

9. Lamine Yamal, Spain

One goal all tournament, but the 18-year-old has still made defenses play him by just being on the right wing. He has eased back from a hamstring injury and has two player of the match awards to prove the difference he makes. He's the obvious favorite for Young Player of the Tournament.