FIFA is set to revolutionize the way individual performances are assessed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Just days before the tournament kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the world governing body has unveiled the “Power Rankings,” a new statistical tool developed in partnership with Aramco.
Based on augmented intelligence and FIFA’s vast data repository, this system promises an objective analysis of players’ performances throughout the competition. Its goal is to go beyond traditional statistics and accurately measure each player’s real impact on the pitch.
Designed by football experts under the supervision of Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, the tool relies on advanced algorithms capable of evaluating performances across several key areas.
“Performance is no longer a matter of opinion. Through the Power Rankings, every player will be assessed objectively according to various criteria such as attacking play, creativity, and defensive contribution. This system is intended to become a global benchmark for the analysis of individual performances,” Wenger explained.
Outfield players will receive a score ranging from 0 to 10 after each match in three categories: attacking play, creativity, and defensive play. Goalkeepers, meanwhile, will be evaluated based on their distribution and ability to protect their goal.
The first rankings will be published after the opening round of matches, once all teams have played their first game. Thereafter, the data will be updated following every match, with new rankings available within four hours of the final whistle.
The top 100 players in each category will be featured in these rankings, providing fans, media outlets, and broadcasters with a new tool to follow the tournament’s stars and fuel debates surrounding individual performances.
With the introduction of the Power Rankings, FIFA aims to bring supporters closer to the action and enrich the narrative of every match through a deeper and more objective understanding of the game.
