Argentina captain Lionel Messi tops FIFA’s attacking rankings, while unexpected stars also shine after the first round of World Cup 2026 group-stage fixtures.
The latest FIFA Power Rankings 2026, powered by Aramco, have highlighted the standout players from the opening round of group-stage matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The rankings use advanced analytics to evaluate players across attacking, creative and defensive categories, identifying those who have had the greatest impact so far.
Following the completion of the first round of fixtures across Canada, Mexico and the United States, several football superstars have lived up to expectations, while a number of lesser-known names have emerged with impressive performances.
Messi Tops Attacking Rankings
Argentina captain Lionel Messi sits at the top of the attacking standings after producing a sensational hat-trick in his side’s 3-0 victory over Algeria. The reigning world champions’ skipper was involved in every goal and accounted for all of Argentina’s shots on target.
Messi converted three goals from an expected goals (xG) value of 1.58, underlining his clinical finishing. Beyond scoring, the Inter Miami star repeatedly broke defensive lines and received possession in dangerous areas, playing a crucial role in Argentina’s attacking dominance.
Elijah Just Impresses for New Zealand
New Zealand winger Elijah Just occupies second place in the attacking rankings after scoring twice against Iran in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Despite Iran creating more chances and registering a higher xG, Just’s efficient finishing helped the All Whites secure a valuable point.
His performance has made him one of the surprise stars of the tournament’s opening round.
Mbappe and Ayari Also Shine
France forward Kylian Mbappe and Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari share third place after both netted two goals in their respective opening matches.
Mbappe showcased his attacking threat by placing all four of his open-play attempts on target and making several progressive runs against Senegal.
Meanwhile, Ayari delivered one of the most efficient displays of the tournament so far, outperforming the quality of his chances by 1.86 goals and establishing himself as one of Sweden’s key performers.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses, the FIFA Power Rankings will continue to provide a detailed picture of the players shaping the tournament.
