Mexico's Quiñones Ranks 8th Best Player at 2026 World Cup

Julián Quiñones just became the highest-ranked Mexican player in World Cup history, landing at number eight on FIFA's official power rankings for the 2026 tournament.

The 29-year-old naturalized Mexican striker scored four goals across five games, including the tournament's opening goal. He tied Mexico's all-time World Cup scoring record, matching legends Luis "El Matador" Hernández and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández.

FIFA's ranking system grades players on three categories: attack, creativity, and defense. Quiñones scored 6.86 in attack, 6.66 in creativity, and 5.22 in defense. That defensive rating proved crucial, placing him above superstars like England's Harry Kane and Spain's Lamine Yamal.

What made Quiñones stand out wasn't just his scoring. While playing as a winger, he constantly tracked back to help Mexico regain possession. His defensive score surpassed household names like Kylian Mbappe (4.02), Lionel Messi (4.55), and Vinicius Junior (4.66).

France's Mbappe topped the rankings after winning the Golden Boot, followed by England's Jude Bellingham and Argentina's Messi. The rest of the top 10 included Norway's Erling Haaland, France's Ousmane Dembele, Belgium's Charles DeKetelaere, Brazil's Vinicius Junior, Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, and Kane.

The Ripple Effect

Quiñones wasn't the only Mexican making waves. Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora became the youngest Mexican ever to play at a World Cup and the second-youngest player to start a knockout match in tournament history. Fox Sports ranked him among the top 50 players of the tournament.

Winger Roberto Alvarado also earned recognition, leading Mexico with three assists and ranking 10th overall in FIFA's creativity category. Fox Sports praised Quiñones for delivering "one of the finest individual campaigns by a Mexican player on the sport's biggest stage."

Mexico's performance marked a historic moment for El Tri, winning their first four matches and showcasing a new generation of talent alongside veteran leadership. The combination of youthful energy and experienced determination helped Mexico compete at the highest level.