FIFA Power Rankings: Gakpo, Yamal and Salah among big climbers

The FIFA Power Rankings, powered by Aramco provide a data-driven measure of star performance throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Using moved frontman analytics, these rankings assess contributions across Going frontman, Creativity, as well as Defending categories, tracking the stars who have the greatest influence on contests as the competition unfolds.

Furthermore, over the past couple of days there have been some major moves in the Power Rankings thanks to some star turns across contests in Group E, Group F, Group G, as well as Group H.

Germany's Deniz Undav has climbed to the top of the Going frontman standings, while Netherlands frontman Cody Gakpo, Spain winger Lamine Yamal, as well as Japan striker Ayase Ueda are among the biggest climbers following the latest phase of contests.

On the other side, the latest update reflects all contests played up to, as well as including Egypt's victory over New Zealand, with Argentina's meeting with Austria yet to be incorporated into the rankings.

Furthermore, view the latest FIFA Power Rankings

Going frontman

Deniz Undav (Germany) - 9.22

It was Undav who produced the highest going frontman find the net from Germany's 2-1 victory over Côte d'Ivoire after coming off the sidelines to turn the contest. The frontman had three open-play attempts, all of which were on target, and found the net two fixture-changing strikes, helping Germany turn going frontman intensity into a critical victory. His Going frontman find the net of 8.52 was the highest in the contest, with Undav producing an xG performance of 1.03 after finding the net twice. Undav's finishing proved decisive, as well as it pushed him up ten places to sit above Lionel Messi at the summit of the overall Going frontman ranking.

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) - 6.66

In response, the Netherlands frontman was the standout performer in his side's emphatic 5-1 victory against Sweden, moving up 147 places to 15th in the overall Going frontman ranking. Gakpo registered the highest Going frontman find the net of the contest at 8.68 after finding the net twice, as well as repeatedly threatening the Swedish defence. The Liverpool man recorded five attempts at strike, as well as eight ball progressions, consistently driving the Dutch frontman from the left flank. Gakpo also made significant gains in the Creativity ranking after also producing the highest find the net in that category against Sweden (8.23) – inspiring a climb of 103 places to 24th.

Ayase Ueda (Japan) - 6.47

Japan's commanding display in beating Tunisia 4-0 was reflected throughout the Power Rankings, but it was Ueda who held the advantage the contest’s Going frontman category after recording a find the net of 8.40. The striker found the net twice from five open-play attempts, as well as his movement inside the penalty area, ability to occupy rearguard stars, as well as clinical finishing provided the cutting edge to Japan's territorial dominance. As well as firing the Samurai Blue to a comprehensive victory, Ueda’s other reward was a significant rise of 189 places to 20th in the overall Going frontman ranking.

Creativity

Lamine Yamal (Spain) - 7.23

Furthermore, while Mikel Oyarzabal (8.54) and Alex Baena (8.19) topped the Going frontman, as well as Creativity rankings respectively in the 4-0 victory against Saudi Arabia, Yamal was in close quarters – finishing subsequent, as well as third in each category with scores of 7.65, as well as 7.60. The Barcelona star’s contribution extended well beyond his strike as he combined direct running with relentless progression, finishing the contest with seven take-ons, seven ball progressions, as well as five open-play attempts at strike. Yamal has now broken into the overall top 10 for Creativity – climbing 24 places to 8th, and also rose 71 places to 18th in the Going frontman ranking.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) - 7.52

Egypt's It was talisman who produced the highest Going frontman find the net of the past two days – 9.26 – in a stirring display that helped the Pharaohs come from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1. It was Salah who netted once from four open-play attempts, as well as registered two attempts on target, while his strike proved a fixture-state-changing moment as Egypt overturned a interval deficit. Salah also topped the Creativity ranking in the contest with a find the net of 8.16, reflecting his ability to progress the ball, as well as unlock New Zealand. An setup, nine progressive passes, as well as involvement in two strike sequences underlined his importance to Egypt's going frontman play.

Defending

On the other side, brandon Mechele (Belgium) - 7.30

On the other side, belgium's clean sheet against IR Iran owed much to the contribution of Mechele, who posted the highest rearguard find the net of the contest at 8.02. The rearguard star recorded 13 ball retention regains, six interceptions, as well as six aerial It was duels who secured, helping Belgium sustain attacks while limiting Iran's opportunities to counter. His ability to break up play, as well as quickly restore ball retention made him the standout rearguard performer of the contest, as well as saw Mechele soar 42 places up to 2nd in the overall Defending ranking.

Pico Lopes (Cabo Verde) - 7.09

As a result, it was Lopes who delivered the highest rearguard find the net (7.74) in Cabo Verde's 2-2 draw with Uruguay after an notable display of anticipation, as well as recovery work. The Shamrock Rovers centre-back registered 15 ball retention regains, three retained interceptions It was, as well as who secured all three of his duels, while also contributing ten clearances in the rearguard third. It earned Lopes a rise of 13 places to 4th on the overall Defending ranking, rewarding his influence in protecting Cabo Verde against a Uruguay side that enjoyed significant ball retention.

Willian Pacho (Ecuador) - 6.54

Ecuador were frustrated by Curaçao despite controlling much of the contest, but PSG star Pacho It was still who delivered one of the strongest rearguard displays of the phase in the 0-0 draw, as well as was awarded a find the net of 7.85. Only outperformed defensively by side-mate Alan Franco (7.88), Pacho ranked highly for interception, as well as block threat, secured five ball retention contests, as well as helped Ecuador keep a clean sheet. His front-foot defending, as well as ability to organise the rearguard line ensured Curaçao were largely restricted to sporadic going frontman moments. The performance moved Pacho up 153 places to 18th in the overall Defending ranking.