FIFA 26

EA has officially revealed the highest-rated players in FIFA 26, and while a few names at the top are no surprise, some ratings definitely caught people off guard. The two highest-rated male players are Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappé, both with a 91 overall, while the biggest leap comes from Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, rated 89 at just 18 years old.

Salah and Mbappé Sit at the Top
Salah remains a dominant force in both real football and the virtual game. After leading Liverpool to a Premier League title, he now sits as one of only four active players rated 91 overall. Kylian Mbappé, now officially at Real Madrid in-game, joins him at the top following another prolific season.
Yamal's rise to 89 is especially notable. At just 18, he holds the highest ever rating for a player that age in EA's football series. Wayne Rooney reached 93 in FIFA 06 at 19, but since then, no teenager has come this close to elite status so early. Yamal's development at Barcelona has clearly caught EA's attention.

Big Drops and Upgrades
Some key players saw their ratings take a hit. Rodri, despite being one of Manchester City's most consistent midfielders over the last two years, drops to 90. Erling Haaland also holds at 90 after a quieter season compared to his record-breaking campaign the year before. Harry Kane falls to 89 following a season at Bayern that lacked the silverware many expected.
On the other end, a few names have received well-earned boosts. Raphinha is now 89 overall, his highest yet, after a standout season at Barcelona. Achraf Hakimi also jumps five points to 89, stepping up following the departure of Theo Hernandez. Ousmane Dembélé climbs to 90, placing him among the elite forwards in the game.

New Icons, New Era
Alongside the ratings, EA has also confirmed new Icon and Hero cards for FIFA 26 Ultimate Team. Long-requested legends like Francesco Totti, Andrés Iniesta, and Zlatan Ibrahimović will now be part of the mix. Their inclusion gives fans more flexibility when building squads and should shake up the early meta in Ultimate Team.

Top-Rated Players

• Vinícius Júnior – 89 (Real Madrid)
• Florian Wirtz – 89 (Liverpool)
• Pedri – 89 (Barcelona)
• Achraf Hakimi – 89 (PSG)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma – 89 (Man City)
• Lamine Yamal – 89 (Barcelona)
• Raphinha – 89 (Barcelona)
• Vitinha – 89 (PSG)
• Alisson – 89 (Liverpool)
• Thibaut Courtois – 89 (Real Madrid)
• Jude Bellingham – 90 (Real Madrid)
• Ousmane Dembélé – 90 (PSG)
• Virgil van Dijk – 90 (Liverpool)
• Erling Haaland – 90 (Man City)
• Rodri – 90 (Man City)
• Mohamed Salah – 91 (Liverpool)
• Kylian Mbappé – 91 (Real Madrid)

Final Thoughts

FIFA 26 reflects a shift toward younger stars. Players like Yamal, Bellingham, Wirtz, and Musiala are climbing rapidly, pushing aside some of the more familiar veteran names. Meanwhile, new inclusions in FUT and a wider spread of top-rated players across different leagues should keep both Career Mode and FUT feeling fresh.
Salah and Mbappé may sit at the top now, but if Yamal and company keep progressing, the top of the mountain might look very different next year.