Al Jazeera ranks ten greatest World Cup players ahead of 2026 tournament
The media outlet’s list highlights athletes who overcame humble origins, detailing their statistical achievements and political involvements in the lead-up to the North American tournament.
Al Jazeera has published a feature ranking the ten greatest players in FIFA World Cup history, released ahead of the 2026 tournament. The list includes Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo, Miroslav Klose, Lothar Matthäus, Ferenc Puskás, Jimmy Greaves, and Zinedine Zidane. The publication frames these athletes as "heroes of nations" who overcame humble origins, providing biographical details and career statistics to justify their inclusion.
The article highlights off-pitch legacies, such as Pelé’s role in securing a ceasefire during the Nigerian civil war and Maradona’s political activism. Maradona’s career is described as a mix of prodigious talent and disregard for rules, including the "hand of God" incident in 1986. Following his playing days, he supported left-wing causes and was a guest of honour at the 2007 Copa America.
Pelé is identified as one of the most successful football icons, lifting the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970. His influence extended beyond sport, with Nelson Mandela and Henry Kissinger lauding his leadership. The publication notes that his fame was so significant that both sides in the Nigerian civil war agreed to a ceasefire in 1969 to allow citizens to watch him play.
Other players on the list include Zinedine Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup for France and later managed Real Madrid to Champions League titles, and Jimmy Greaves, a key member of England’s 1966 winning squad. Greaves, who scored six hat-tricks for England, was awarded a winners’ medal by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.
The feature also details the contributions of Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as both a player and manager, and Ferenc Puskás, who captained Hungary’s "Mighty Magyars" and defected to Spain after the 1956 revolution. The publication coincides with preparations for the 2026 World Cup in North America, which will feature a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the final in New Jersey.
