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The 2025-26 season was another incredible year in world soccer. Arsenal won their first Premier League title in over 20 years, Paris Saint-Germain earned a second straight UEFA Champions League and Spain claimed a second-ever FIFA World Cup by beating Argentina in the final this summer. But before we get to the 2026-27 campaign, let's reflect on the best players in the game right now. Welcome to the FC 100. The FC 100 is different from most countdowns. It is not a Nos. 1-100 ranking. We take into account all the major positions on the pitch, while most rankings prioritize talent with little regard for where the stars play on the pitch. This approach often leads to uninspiring lists that are heavily weighted toward goal scorers (forwards) and players who create goals from midfield, paying little attention to the talent in less glamorous -- but equally important -- roles. Our rankings are divided into seven lists and give readers the closest thing to a position-by-position "depth chart" across world soccer. As we did last year to reflect soccer's evolution, we've split defenders into two groups (wide and central), with two sections for midfield (so more defensive guys get their due alongside the playmakers) and two for forward, with the wide forward and center forward also clearly defined. Also, this year marks the 10th annual edition of our ranker, which we will explore all week in various categories. But first, the list! The 2025-26 FC 100, position by position Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards Previous editions Go to: 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 Main takeaways PSG reign supreme: Such was their brilliance in winning two straight Champions League titles that 13 players from the French champs made the FC 100, the most of any club in the ranking. (Obviously, France's classy run to the World Cup semifinals also played a part.) Arsenal's first league crown in over two decades helped 10 players from that club make the cut this year, from goalkeeper David Raya to forward Kai Havertz. Manchester City (led by Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Rodri -- who has since moved to Barcelona) rounded out the top three, with nine players named to the list. Two players made the list for a 10th straight year: Amazingly, two players have been named to every edition of our annual list. Here's to you, Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona). Another abundance of first-time nominees: Thirty-two of the 100 are new in 2025-26, with our ranker always paying attention to breakthrough talent at all positions. The Premier League is still on top: In total, 38 players from England's top tier made the FC 100, well ahead of Spain's LaLiga (21 nominees) and France's Ligue 1 (14 nominees). In the pantheon of top divisions, the PL still reigns supreme. France are this year's top nation: Les Bleus didn't win the World Cup this summer, but they placed 14 players (from forward Kylian Mbappe to defender Dayot Upamecano) on this year's list, ahead of Spain and England (both with 12). In all, 30 countries were represented in 2025-26, an impressive range spanning from France at the top to Mexico, Hungary, Senegal and Uruguay with one each. Teams were correct as of Aug. 15. How our voters handled the ballot Conducting a global vote on the world's best players is no easy feat, and we gave some guidelines regarding how to best proceed with the ballots. Voters were encouraged to consider the following things: - Who are the best players right now, weighted toward their 2025-26 seasons? Voters were given discretion as to how much of a part injuries played in votes; some players made the cut despite missing chunks of the season given the scale of their contributions and performances when healthy. - Performances in individual club competitions (e.g., Champions League) were considered, but were not the overarching factor. Players whose efforts spanned the largest sample of games should rank higher than those who excelled in short-tournament formats. - The World Cup matters, but only to a point. We didn't overlook 50 to 60 games of high-level domestic/club performance by over-indexing for a max of eight games this summer. Some players were obviously boosted or diminished based on their tournament performances, but this remains a whole-season assessment. What each list of the FC 100 is about The key here is twofold: What made each player worthy of the list in 2025-26, and what they project to do next season? Goalkeeper What makes a world-class goalkeeper? Keeping the ball out of the net is always the priority, but more and more is being asked of modern keepers. Athleticism, composure on the ball and pinpoint passing are musts, and the very best possess an uncanny ability to be in the right position at every moment. When a big game is on the line, having an elite shot stopper patrolling the end line can be the difference between glory and despair. Though staying out of the headlines is typically the sign of a job well done, these 10 top goalkeepers have seized the spotlight at various points over the past year, making them worthy members of the FC 100. Fullbacks How a team uses its fullbacks says a lot about how it approaches its game. Does it want to sit back and defend? Expect the wide defenders to be strong in the tackle and in the air. Is it a dynamic attacking side? You better believe the fullbacks will be vital in the final third. The very best in the game, of course, can do it all. Whether they possess the blinding speed to surge forward and fire in crosses or pull the strings like a midfielder, elite fullbacks are playmakers, chance creators (or finishers) and top-notch defenders all wrapped into one. Given how much the position has evolved over the past decade, there's no telling where the next 10 years could take us. Center backs A world-class center back can change the dynamic of a team. They can snuff out threats before they materialize, allowing their teammates to press with confidence. On the ball, they can be one of their team's key playmakers, dribbling through pressure or launching defense-splitting passes. Some are better at defending on the front foot, proactively stepping forward to win the ball. Others are more at ease sitting back and forcing their opponents into dead ends. Different styles suit different squads, but at the end of the day, all that matters to these elite defenders is getting the clean sheet -- and the victory. Defensive/central midfielders Playing in midfield is not for the faint of heart. Those tasked with that responsibility bring a variety of skills, but they must be prepared for physical challenges and to make split-second decisions. Fortunately, the elite midfielders ranked below are the most adept at navigating those treacherous waters. Whether they find success with their ball-winning, passing, dribbling, or close control, their teams rely on them to win possession, maintain it and move the ball up the pitch -- and maybe even chip in some goals, too. Attacking midfielders The showmen of the sport, attacking midfielders create chances and score. Confident and technically skilled, their dynamism and flair make them a joy to watch. Though attacking midfielders, sometimes called No. 10s, are often expected to contribute more defensively than in previous eras, their main duty remains making things happen in the final third. With grace and guile, they possess the talent to unlock a defense and change a game in a heartbeat. Wingers Perhaps the most glamorous of all soccer positions, wide forwards (also known as wingers) are the players who most often dazzle with their trickery and devastating pace. Away from the rough and tumble of midfield, they are more likely to receive the ball in space -- and that's where the magic happens. Some prefer the ball at their feet, cutting inside for a quality shooting opportunity or beating a fullback down the sideline to put in a perfect cross. Others like to do their damage on the receiving end, letting other playmakers work the ball into dangerous positions before crashing the box for a decisive goal. No matter the plan of attack, the wing is where some of soccer's brightest stars ply their craft. Center forwards Center forwards are often defined by their end product -- cold stretches in front of the net can lead to raised eyebrows. But even when the goals dry up, the best strikers still find a way to influence matches. They'll make darting runs behind the opposing defense, opening space for their teammates. They are confident enough on the ball to drop into midfield and create chances. Most importantly, they are thinking one step ahead of everyone else, anticipating rebounds or hustling to get on the receiving end of a cross. A great center forward is the focal point of the attack, and a must-have for any team aspiring to glory. The 2025-26 FC 100, position by position Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards