2026 FC 100: Kane, Yamal, Messi among best men's soccer players
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- PSG led the 2026 FC 100 with 13 players — the most of any club — fueled by their second straight UEFA Champions League title and France's run to the World Cup semifinals.
- Arsenal placed 10 players on the list after winning their first Premier League title in over two decades, spanning from goalkeeper David Raya to forward Kai Havertz.
- Manchester City rounded out the top three clubs with nine nominees, led by Erling Haaland, Marc Guéhi and Rodri, who has since moved to Barcelona.
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire) became the only two players to appear on every edition of the FC 100, making the list for a 10th straight year.
- Thirty-two of the 100 players are first-time nominees, with the list split across seven position groups to better credit defensive and less-glamorous roles.
- England's Premier League dominated league representation with 38 players, well ahead of Spain's LaLiga (21) and France's Ligue 1 (14).
- France led national representation with 14 players on the list, narrowly ahead of Spain and England, which each placed 12.
- The rankings cover 30 countries in total, ranging from France at the top to one nominee each from Mexico, Hungary, Senegal and Uruguay.
Why it matters: By splitting the list across seven position groups rather than a flat 1-100, ESPN elevates defenders, defensive midfielders and fullbacks who are routinely ignored in talent rankings — a structural shift that matters for how the game's less-flashy roles are valued commercially. PSG's 13 placements and the Premier League's 38 reflect how club success and league depth continue to drive individual recognition in world soccer.
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