World Cup 2026: The Premier League stands out in goals and assists
The Premier League has demonstrated its power in the 2026 World Cup, with a notable number of goals and assists that position it as the most influential league in the tournament.
By Claudia Gómez
July 10, 2026 at 01:26 AM
As the tournament moves towards the quarter-finals, BBC Sport looks at the dominance of the English league, underpinned by the enormous wealth that supports it. The race for the Golden Boot is a classic spectacle, with some of the biggest stars competing at the top. In this competition, Lionel Messi leads representing the US Major League Soccer, while Kylian Mbappé shines in Spain's La Liga. Erling Haaland remains a constant fear for Premier League defenses and Harry Kane breaks records in the German Bundesliga.
Premier League players have scored a total of 67 goals, almost double that of the next closest league, La Liga. This total is driven by players whose quality is evident, but who have not yet achieved elite status like Messi. Some of these goalscorers include Arsenal's Kai Havertz, Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Manchester United's Matheus Cunha and Newcastle's Yoane Wissa, all performing notable performances in the tournament.
In terms of assists, Premier League footballers also dominate, providing more than twice as many assists as the Bundesliga, which occupies second place. Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães, although he missed a penalty in Brazil's elimination against Norway, was one of the few who stood out, creating four goals during the tournament. Alongside him, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, as well as Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, have contributed significantly.
Although 12 Premier goalkeepers were selected, only four have been regular starters, but all have shown outstanding performance. Everton's Jordan Pickford and Aston Villa's Emiliano Martínez have kept two clean sheets, while Liverpool's Alisson has done the same for Brazil. With a total of 11 clean sheets, the Premier League leads in this regard, surprisingly tied with Mexico's Liga MX, thanks to the performances of goalkeepers Raúl Rangel and Camilo Vargas.
The financial impact of the Premier League on the 2026 World Cup is undeniable, as its clubs have the ability to invest in quality international talent, which is reflected in their notable performance in the tournament.
Frequently asked questions
How many Premier League players are participating in the 2026 World Cup?
A total of 154 players who finished the 2025-26 season in Premier League clubs were selected for the World Cup.
Which league has scored the most goals in the 2026 World Cup?
The Premier League has scored a total of 67 goals, almost double that of the next closest league, La Liga.
Which Premier League players have stood out in the 2026 World Cup?
Players such as Kai Havertz, Ismaila Sarr, Cody Gakpo, Matheus Cunha and Yoane Wissa have had notable performances in the tournament.
How many appearances have Premier League players accumulated in the World Cup?
Premier League players have amassed more than 500 World Cup appearances, totaling nearly 40,000 minutes of play combined.
What impact does the Premier League have on the 2026 World Cup?
The Premier League has left an indelible mark on the 2026 World Cup, being the league with the most players selected and the highest number of goals scored.
Read more on our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.