Ten years ago, ESPN unveiled its inaugural FC 100, a compilation of the top players (and managers) in men’s soccer worldwide. Fast forward to 2026, and after ten editions, the landscape of soccer has transformed remarkably.
Manchester City was just beginning their historic streak of seven Premier League titles in eight seasons under Pep Guardiola. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were still locked in fierce competition in LaLiga with Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Meanwhile, Germany had just emerged as World Cup champions, triumphing over host nation Brazil in 2014.
The 2026 FC 100: Position by Position
Explore: Goalkeepers | Fullbacks | Center Backs | Defensive/Central Midfielders | Attacking Midfielders | Wingers | Center Forwards
Look back at: 2025 | 2024 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Some elements have remained constant over the years. Remarkably, two legends of the sport have consistently featured in the FC 100 for all ten years: Messi and Robert Lewandowski. Their enduring presence solidifies their status among the greatest players in soccer history.
In celebration of the FC 100’s 10th anniversary, we’ve taken a look not only at this year’s list but also at all previous editions. Which clubs, countries, and continents have had the most representatives in the rankings over the last decade? Who joins Messi and Lewandowski in the all-time team based on appearances?
Let’s explore these queries and highlight other intriguing insights from ten years filled with exceptional players and memorable moments.
New Faces in the FC 100
In the 2026 FC 100, nearly a third of the players are newcomers to the rankings, with some making significant debuts in their positions.
Dynamic playmaker Nico Paz made a splash by debuting at No. 5 among attacking midfielders at just 21 years old, slotted between No. 4 Rayan Cherki and No. 6 Martin Ødegaard, both thriving in the Premier League. Although he played a minimal role in Argentina‘s World Cup journey to the final, the Real Madrid academy talent led Como to their best-ever league season, finishing fourth in Serie A. He’ll now have the opportunity to further elevate his profile as Como competes in the UEFA Champions League.
Not far behind Paz in the attacking-midfielder standings is Real Madrid’s Arda Güler (No. 9), a promising prospect to watch, although he must gain the trust of new manager Jose Mourinho. The youngest debutant this year is 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who made it to No. 14 among central midfielders after impressing during the World Cup for Morocco and is expected to complete a high-profile transfer — reports suggest Manchester City is closing in on a deal for the Lille midfielder, sources indicate.
Additionally, several seasoned players are enjoying a late-career revival in the 2025-26 season. Notable newcomers include Matvei Safonov (No. 10 goalkeeper), Jordan Pickford (No. 9 goalkeeper), and John McGinn (No. 14 attacking midfielder), all of whom are over 30 and made their initial appearances in the rankings.
Club Representation
Given their exceptional performances, it’s no wonder that the Champions League finalists, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, lead the club representation within this year’s rankings. PSG secured another European title by winning their recent match in a penalty shootout, while Arsenal proudly celebrated ending a 20-year Premier League title drought.
Remarkably, PSG claimed the top two spots among full-backs, with Nuno Mendes coming in second to Achraf Hakimi, who was voted the best full-back in the world for the second consecutive year. With additional top performances from Vitinha (No. 1 central midfielder), Ousmane Dembélé (No. 4 center forward), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (No. 3 wide forward), Désiré Doué (No. 9 wide forward), and Willian Pacho (No. 2 center back), PSG stands as the pinnacle of European soccer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal showcased their defensive talent within the rankings, with contributions from David Raya (No. 1 goalkeeper), William Saliba (No. 1 center back), and Gabriel Magalhães (No. 3 center back). Additionally, their well-rounded squad includes recognition for Declan Rice (No. 2 central midfielder), Bukayo Saka (No. 7 wide forward), and Ødegaard (No. 6 attacking midfielder).
But how do these results stack up against the data from the past decade?
This gives insight into Real Madrid’s historical dominance in Europe, having secured the Champions League title five times during the voting period, showcasing the tail end of their Galacticos transfer strategy, attracting some of the brightest talents globally. Long-time FC 100 members include midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, center backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, full back Dani Carvajal, and forwards Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
Ligue 1 has fallen from its previous third place among leagues to fifth when considering all ten years. This illustrates the impact that a single dominant team (PSG) can exert on their league’s FC 100 representation.
Country Representation
France may have faced elimination by Spain in the World Cup semifinals, but in the FC 100 realm, Kylian Mbappé and his compatriots reign supreme regarding representation.
This underlines the contrasting dynamics of the two national squads: France boasts a wider pool of elite talent, whereas Spain’s efficiency, technical prowess, and cohesive playstyle make them a greater force together than the sum of their individual skills.
Although Brazil exited the 2026 World Cup sooner than anticipated, falling 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16, they still managed to place eight players in the FC 100. Certainly, while Argentina holds the World Cup trophy, they might wish to exchange that for a superior ranking above their South American rivals (though in reality, they would not).
Reflecting on the entire decade, a recurring trend is evident: Europe’s and South America’s powerhouses dominate, with Germany edging out Argentina in the top five.
Notably, Senegal and Egypt deserve recognition as the only non-European and non-South American nations with players making at least ten appearances in the rankings. For Egypt, much of the credit is due to a specific standout on the wing, though we will delve into that shortly.
The All-Time FC 100 XI
Now, let’s delve into the highlights. As previously stated, Messi and Lewandowski are the true powerhouses of skill and longevity. However, they are not alone in their recognition among the elite of the past decade.
Mbappé (No. 2 center forward) and Jan Oblak barely missed joining the duo in the ten-appearance club—the latter did not make the 2026 list. Yet, both have garnered immense respect for their achievements: Mbappé continues to set records, being the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history by netting 10 goals at just 27 years old, while Oblak’s steadfast performance and fitness at Atlético Madrid have earned him a prominent spot in the all-time XI.
Interestingly, defenders show the most diversity among position groups, with only Virgil van Dijk (No. 8 center back) recording at least eight FC 100 appearances. All others outside the defense who made this all-time XI have achieved a minimum of eight appearances, highlighting the challenge of maintaining top defensive performance at the elite level.
All-Time Appearance Leaders
Here’s another perspective on the best in the world over the last decade, showcasing players with at least seven FC 100 appearances.
While Messi and Lewandowski occupy the top positions in their roles, this is an opportune moment to recognize Cristiano Ronaldo (No. 14 center forward), Harry Kane (No. 1 center forward), and Mohamed Salah (No. 17 wide forward).
Ronaldo, of course, needs no introduction. After narrowly missing the cut in the 2022-23 season when he lost favor with Manchester United, he has continued his prolific scoring, celebrated with trademark “Siuuu” celebrations. Kane, who began ascending to superstardom in 2016 and scored 25 Premier League goals last season, became a household name soon after.
Shifts in Rivalries
Many of soccer’s biggest rivalries have been reflected in the FC 100 voting, showcasing how dominance can swiftly change hands in these historic contests. In the earlier years of the FC 100, clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United held an advantage over Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively; however, these dynamics have shifted in recent times.
Manchester City’s Premier League dominance—with six titles in seven years—made their presence felt above an underperforming Manchester United, while Arsenal’s resurgence coincides with Chelsea’s chaotic phase. As the Gunners realize their ambition, evidenced by their first Premier League title in over 20 years and strategic summer signings, Chelsea continues to build a squad that leans heavily on loans.
In Italy, AC Milan’s previous reign has given way to Inter Milan’s resurgence, who have claimed three Serie A titles since 2020, including the most recent one in 2025-26. They also advanced to the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League final, marking a significant shift in influence with an increasing number of FC 100 representatives.
Conversely, not every rivalry has experienced a transfer of power; Bayern Munich’s stranglehold over the Bundesliga remains, winning nine of ten titles since the FC 100’s inception, keeping them well above their rivals, Borussia Dortmund.
Emergence of African Players
Lastly, a noteworthy trend throughout this project has been the rise of African players climbing the FC 100 rankings.
Historically, the number of African players in the FC 100 has fluctuated between three and five, peaking at six in 2021-22. However, the continent set a new record for two consecutive years, achieving seven representatives in 2025 and surpassing that with nine in 2026.
Among the nine players this year, six are wingers, including Salah (No. 17), Bryan Mbeumo (No. 16), Ademola Lookman (No. 13), and Antoine Semenyo (No. 11). With Hakimi (No. 1 full back) and 19-year-old Real Madrid newcomer Yan Diomande (No. 19 wide forward) likely to maintain their positions for years to come, the outlook for African soccer appears exceptionally bright.