Two from Korea, practically 'zero' from Japan... 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup 'Top 100 Player Rankings' revealed

*This content was translated by AI.

• Selected by U.S. outlet Fox Sports: Son Heung-min ranked 81st, Kim Min-jae 98thJapan's Kaoru Mitoma, ranked 94th, dropped out due to injury

The top 100 player rankings for the 48th national teams competing in the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup finals have been released. While two players from the South Korean national team made the list, Japan's sole representative was excluded due to injury, effectively resulting in 'zero' players from the country.

U.S. outlet Fox Sports officially released the top 100 player rankings for the 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup on the 2nd (Korea time). Previously, the outlet had released rankings sequentially from 100th to 76th, and from 75th to 51st, but on this day, it unveiled the final top 10, thereby revealing all 100 players.

Players from the South Korean national team included Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) at 98th and Son Heung-min (LAFC) at 81st.

Fox Sports introduced Kim Min-jae, stating, "After leading Napoli to a Serie A title, he transferred to Bayern Munich. Although he is not yet a regular starter at Bayern Munich, he will be a key figure in the South Korean national team's defense this summer." U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas added his opinion, saying, "When the top 100 rankings are updated after the tournament, people might say, 'It's unbelievable that Kim Min-jae was ranked only 98th.'"

Son Heung-min was ranked higher at 81st compared to Kim Min-jae. Fox Sports introduced him, stating, "After playing for a decade in the English Premier League (EPL), he is now spending his first full season with LAFC. He holds the record for the most appearances in South Korean national team history." Stuart Holden explained, "Although Son Heung-min has faced some difficulties in scoring during the early part of the season, I have never had to worry about him in matches for the South Korean national team or in important games."

Among the total 100 players, only two held South Korean nationality: Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae. Initially, rankings up to 76th were released first, and at the time, with the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final approaching, there was significant interest in whether Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain·PSG) would appear in the upper ranks, but Lee Kang-in failed to make the ranking list at all.

In Asia, only three players were named: Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Japan's Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion). Mitoma's ranking was 94th, placing him between Kim Min-jae and Son Heung-min. However, after securing the 94th spot, Mitoma was ruled out of this North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup due to a hamstring injury. Japan's national team effectively has zero players on the list, and aside from that, only two South Korean players made the ranking in Asia.

In Group A alongside Korea, Mexico had only Raul Jimenez (Fulham) at 90th. There were no players from the Czech Republic or South Africa in the top 100. The overall number one spot was taken by Spain's Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona), followed by Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) to form the top five. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), who is approaching his 'last dance,' was ranked 16th, while Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) was 40th.

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*This content was translated by AI.