Paraguayan midfielder Andrés Cubas leads World Cup 2026 rankings before facing France

Paraguay's national team has established a distinct style in the 2026 World Cup, often adopting a more defensive posture. Amidst this strategy, midfielder Andrés Cubas has emerged as the tournament's top ball-winner, according to statistics from the CIES Football Observatory. This individual brilliance stands in contrast to the team's challenging start, which saw them suffer a heavy defeat against the United States.

Despite the initial setback, Paraguay rallied, correcting their course in subsequent matches to secure a spot among the top sixteen teams. Now, they face a formidable opponent in France in the Round of 16. This crucial match arrives at a peak moment for the team's footballing recovery, a stark contrast to their turbulent tournament debut.

The CIES report confirms what observers have noted: Cubas is a standout performer. The renowned Swiss research center, known for its statistical analysis of players and the transfer market, has highlighted the Paraguayan midfielder as leading a key ranking for the tournament. His ability to dominate ground duels and recover possession has been instrumental in protecting Paraguay's defense from the midfield.

Cubas tops the list of players who have won the most ground duels among teams still competing. The CIES report also places him as the player with the most balls recovered in the North America 2026 World Cup, boasting an impressive score of 95.5 points. He surpasses France's Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is second with 91.2 points, and Egypt's Mohanad Lasheen, third with 90.4 points. This ranking underscores that exceptional individual defensive performance is not confined to traditional football powerhouses.

To further contextualize Cubas's achievement, players like Brazil's Casemiro appear lower in the rankings. The upcoming Round of 16 clash against France, whose midfield engine is Tchouaméni, adds an intriguing layer to these statistics, setting the stage for a compelling midfield battle.