France captain overtakes Lionel Messi after the Round of 16 as FIFA updates its performance-based player rankings
France captain Kylian Mbappe has climbed to the summit of the Mbappe FIFA World Cup Power Rankings, overtaking Argentina captain Lionel Messi after standout performances in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Also read: Mbappe fires France into World Cup round of 16 with brace against Sweden
FIFA released the updated rankings on Wednesday, with Mbappe earning an attacking score of 8.71 to move into first place, while Messi slipped to second with 8.45 despite inspiring Argentina’s dramatic comeback victory over Egypt.
Norway striker Erling Haaland occupies third place with a score of 8.04, while England captain Harry Kane is fourth on 7.41 after another influential display for the Three Lions.
The FIFA World Cup Power Rankings, introduced for the 2026 tournament in partnership with Aramco, provide a data-driven assessment of individual performances after every match, using advanced metrics rather than goals or assists alone.
For outfield players, the rankings evaluate performances across attacking, creativity and defensive contributions, with each category scored on a scale of zero to 10.
Goalkeepers are assessed separately for shot-stopping ability and effectiveness in possession.
Mbappe’s rise reflects another commanding tournament in which the France captain has consistently led Didier Deschamps’ side in the attacking phase.
The latest update further strengthens the 27-year-old’s status as one of the competition’s outstanding performers.
Although Messi dropped to second overall, the Argentina captain remains one of the tournament’s defining figures.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced a decisive performance against Egypt, scoring the equaliser and providing an assist as the defending champions recovered from two goals down to reach the quarter-finals.
The latest rankings also underline France’s dominance across multiple performance categories.
Michael Olise tops FIFA’s creativity rankings with a score of 8.19 after a series of inventive displays that have helped drive France’s attacking play throughout the tournament.
Central defender Dayot Upamecano leads the defensive rankings with 7.67, highlighting the balance within Didier Deschamps’ squad as France continue their pursuit of a third FIFA World Cup title.
Among goalkeepers, Portugal international Diogo Costa occupies the number one position with an impressive rating of 8.89, reflecting his commanding performances between the posts.
Unlike traditional player ratings, FIFA’s Power Rankings are recalculated after every World Cup match, meaning the standings can change rapidly as the knockout stages progress.
Also read: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq 3-0
With the quarter-finals approaching, the Mbappe FIFA World Cup Power Rankings are expected to remain highly competitive as several of the tournament’s biggest stars continue their quest for football’s most prestigious prize.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
