The ongoing 2026 World Cup features a catalogue of defenders who have impressed in the first round of matches.
While goals and assists often dominate the headlines, the defending rankings recognised the players whose interventions prevented danger and helped shape results.
Here are the top ten defenders based on the FIFA rankings.
1. Derek Cornelius (Canada) – 7.3
2. Nikola Katić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 7.1
3. Tarik Muharemović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 7.1
4. Xaver Schlager (Austria) – 7.0
5. Tyler Adams (United States) – 6.9
6. Sidney Lopes Cabra (Cabo Verde) – 6.7
7. Amar Dedić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 6.6
8. Jesús Gallardo (México) – 6.6
9. Willy Semedo (Cape Verde) – 6.6
10. Alessandro Circati (Australia) – 6.6
