World Cup 2026: The 10 fastest players revealed

FIFA has released the official list of the 10 fastest players at the 2026 World Cup, with Kylian Mbappé topping the chart at 37.16 km/h. No Qatar players made the list, with Abdulaziz Hatem being the fastest at 33.2 km/h during the 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24, 2026.

Who are the fastest in the tournament?

The speeds varied among the players, with Mbappé leading, followed by Sweden's Anthony Elanga at 37.16 km/h. The fastest defender was Tottenham's Micky van de Ven at 36.77 km/h. No Qatar players were among the fastest, with Abdulaziz Hatem clocking 33.2 km/h in the 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24, 2026.

How did speed impact team performance?

Data showed that speed was crucial in many matches, helping to score or prevent goals. For example, Erling Haaland scored against Poland thanks to his speed of 36.52 km/h. The Qatar team struggled due to lower player speeds compared to other national teams.

What does this list mean for football's future?

This list highlights the growing importance of speed in modern football, with faster players having a bigger impact on matches. Teams are expected to focus more on developing player speed in the future, especially after the strong performances of the fastest players at the 2026 World Cup. The Qatar team faced challenges due to lower player speeds compared to other national teams.