Is Vinícius Jr. Still Brazil's #1? World Cup Group C Best Player Rankings

The World Cup is upon us, and it is now time to talk about the best players who will be embarking across North America this moment in quest for the Holy Grail that is the most prestigious trophy in sports.

Group C has some true powerhouses in it with Brazil and Morocco, along with the dark horse Scotland, and a Haiti team trying to be the ultimate spoiler.

Which players, though, are leading the charge?

Here are my top three Group C players heading into this week’s openers across the continent.

More news: World Cup 2026: Previewing All 12 Groups and Making Predictions

More news: Can This Brazil Team Win It All? World Cup Group C Preview

3. Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)

Although you generally think of attacking players when you think of Brazil (and we’ll get to one later), Gabriel has made himself one of the most important players on the planet this past campaign with Arsenal. The Gunners put up one of the stingiest walls in Premier League history to recapture the crown for the first time in 20 years, and a lot of that had to do with Gabriel at center back.

In almost any other group, Gabriel would be the best defender in it. In Group C, though, he’s only in second.

2. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)

Sorry, Gabriel, but the reigning African Player of the Year takes this one by a hair in the defense department. Hakimi is coming off another incredible year with PSG, where the French titans won their second-straight Champions League trophy. Above all that, though, Hakimi is coming off an incredible Qatar World Cup, where Morocco became the first African nation to make the semifinals.

Hakimi and Morocco believe they can go even farther in North America this time around.

1. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)

After two of the best defenders in the world, we have one of the best attackers in a tournament where Brazil’s hopes lay on his shoulders. Vinícius has been one of the best individual talents for years now, but he is the true ace of the winningest nation in World Cup history this tournament. He is no longer the cherry on top; if Brazil want to win their historic sixth World Cup trophy, Vinícius will need to be Ronaldo in 2002 or Romário in 1994, the last time the tournament was held in the United States.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM.