World Cup 2026 unsung heroes: Which overlooked players deserve more credit?

The Golden Boot race understandably commands the most attention, but what of the players with the highest distance covered, the most defensive pressures, or the best passing accuracy in the final third?

With the Round of 16 behind us, we take a look at four players who warrant more praise for their hidden heroics.

Andre Cubas, Paraguay

• 60,749 metres covered: Ranks 2nd
• 231 Defensive pressures applied: Ranks 2nd
• 43 forced turnovers: Ranks 5th
• 23 tackles: Ranks 2nd
• 14 fouls against: Ranks 1st

Say what you will about the tactics employed by the Paraguayans vs. France, it doesn't change the fact that their all-action midfielder has absolutely dominated at what he does best.

As success rates go across multiple defensive categories, few, if any, compare with the disruptive Vancouver virtuoso.

Stephen Eustaquio, Canada

• 114 successful passes in the final third: Ranks 4th
• 42 crosses completed: Ranks 1st
• 897 minutes spent running at high speed: Ranks 2nd

Eustaquio will be remembered, of course, for his 92nd-minute winner against South Africa that sealed Canada's first-ever World Cup knockout-stage win.

But his contributions go well beyond that standout moment. He ranks just behind Michael Olise for the most successful passes in the final third, and, by the end of the Round of 16, had completed 8 more crosses than the player in second place.

In addition to being a creative force, Eustaquio had a phenomenal work ethic. He covered 52,497 metres and spent more time running at high speed than any other player except Switzerland's Granit Xhaka.

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Patrick Berg, Norway

• 50% success rate on crosses: Ranks 2nd (min. 10 attempts)
• 2 assists
• Starred in the knockout stages

Berg's success rate on crosses is almost double that of Norway's team as a whole (26.5%) and is superior to that of any other player with at least 10 attempts, except Bosnia and Herzegovina's Ivan Basic (58%).

While others on this list excelled in the group stages, Berg saved his best for the knockout stages, providing an assist in the 2-1 win against the Ivory Coast before running rings around Brazil in Norway's 2-1 Round of 16 win.

Keito Nakamura, Japan

• 1 goal
• 1 assist
• 89% passes completed
• Group stage giant

Arguably one of the best wing-backs in the group stages, Nakamura excelled against the Netherlands, scoring to help Japan secure a 2-2 draw, before following up with an excellent assist against Tunisia.

His fine performance against Sweden preceded a less-than-stellar showing against Brazil in the Round of 32, but considering he plied his trade for Reims in the French second tier last year, it was an impressive tournament on the whole for the Japanese star.

It's no wonder he's attracting significant interest from several top European teams.

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