Mbappe Overtakes Messi to Top FIFA World Cup Power Rankings

France captain Kylian Mbappe has moved ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi to become the highest-ranked player in FIFA’s latest World Cup Power Rankings following the completion of the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The updated rankings, released on Wednesday, place Mbappe at the top with an attacking score of 8.71, reflecting his influential performances during the tournament.

Messi, who previously occupied the number one position, dropped to second place after receiving a score of 8.45.

Norway’s Erling Haaland is ranked third with 8.04, while England captain Harry Kane sits fourth on the list with a score of 7.41.

The FIFA World Cup Power Rankings were introduced for the 2026 tournament in partnership with Aramco to provide an objective assessment of players’ performances using detailed match data and statistical analysis.

Under the ranking system, outfield players are evaluated across three key areas: attacking, creativity and defending, with each category scored on a scale of zero to 10. Goalkeepers are assessed separately based on their shot-stopping ability and contribution during possession.

The rankings are updated after every match to reflect players’ latest performances throughout the competition.

France continued to dominate the individual categories, with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise emerging as the highest-rated player for creativity after recording a score of 8.19.

French defender Dayot Upamecano also led the defensive rankings with a score of 7.67 following a series of impressive displays at the back.

In the goalkeeping category, Portugal international Diogo Costa occupied the top position with a score of 8.89, making him the tournament’s highest-rated goalkeeper after the Round of 16.

Mbappe’s rise to the summit of the rankings underlines his importance to the French team as they continue their quest for a second World Cup title in three tournaments.

The rankings also highlight the consistency of several leading stars who have produced standout performances as the competition enters the quarter-final stage.

With the race for the World Cup entering its decisive phase, the rankings are expected to change further as players continue to compete for football’s biggest prize and individual recognition.