World Cup 2026: Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannous makes biggest leap in FIFA player rankings

Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannous continues to attract global attention at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after recording the biggest rise in the FIFA Player Performance Rankings presented by Aramco.

The young playmaker has emerged as one of the standout creative players at the tournament following a series of impressive performances for the Atlas Lions.

According to FIFA data, the rankings are determined through detailed analysis of players’ performances in three major categories — attack, playmaking and defense — with the aim of measuring each player’s overall influence during World Cup matches.

El Khannous earned widespread praise after his outstanding display in Morocco’s emphatic 4-2 victory over Haiti during the group stage. The Stuttgart midfielder played a central role in Morocco’s attacking movements, consistently creating opportunities with his intelligent passing, movement between the lines and tactical awareness.

Statistics from the match showed that El Khannous completed 20 successful passes into Haiti’s penalty area while also leading all players in breaking down opposition defensive lines, directly helping Morocco connect midfield play with their attacking unit.

His remarkable performance resulted in the biggest jump across all ranking categories, as he climbed 351 places to move into 24th position globally in the playmaker rankings.

The rankings also highlighted several other players who impressed during the group stage. Bosnian youngster Karim Alajbegović climbed 276 places in the attacking category, while Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pépé rose to 19th position following his excellent goal-scoring displays. Defenders Gila Doué and Alastair Johnston were also recognised for their strong defensive contributions.

El Khannous’ latest achievement further underlines his growing importance within the Moroccan national team, where he has become one of the key pillars of coach Mohamed Wahbi’s squad.

The midfielder’s vision, creativity and ability to dictate the tempo of matches have made him one of Morocco’s most influential players as the Atlas Lions continue their World Cup journey.

With the knockout stages now underway, Moroccan supporters will be hoping El Khannous can maintain his outstanding form and inspire the national team toward another memorable achievement on football’s biggest stage.