Morocco international Ismael Saibari has been named among the leading contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Ball, according to GOAL’s latest editorial rankings of the tournament’s standout performers.
Saibari placed 17th in the list, making him the only Moroccan, Arab, and African player to feature among the publication’s top candidates. France’s Kylian Mbappé leads the rankings, followed by Argentina’s Lionel Messi and England’s Jude Bellingham.
The sports outlet praised Saibari’s performances during Morocco’s World Cup campaign, describing him as one of the Atlas Lions’ most influential players as they advanced to the quarter-finals. The midfielder, however, missed Morocco’s clash against France after sustaining a muscle injury, with the national team ultimately bowing out of the tournament.
GOAL highlighted Saibari’s decisive contributions throughout the competition, including crucial goals in the group stage and the winning penalty in Morocco’s shootout victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
The rankings reflect GOAL’s editorial assessment of players based on their performances and influence during the World Cup. They do not represent the official Golden Ball standings, as FIFA is expected to announce the tournament’s best player after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
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