ESPN's new ranking pits Europe's elite clubs against their players' World Cup output. Manchester City fielded a record 15 participants but only Erling Haaland stood out, netting a brace for Norway in a 4-1 win over Iraq. Midfield stalwart Rodri shone for Spain, yet City’s overall showing landed them near the bottom.

Paris Saint‑Germain slipped to fifth despite a star‑studded squad. Kylian Mbappé rescued France with a second‑half brace in a 3-1 victory over Senegal, while João Neves scored for Portugal. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne offered flashes of class, but inconsistent performances kept their clubs from the top tier.

Liverpool’s Alexander Isak finally justified his £125 million fee, delivering a goal and an assist for Sweden. Dortmund’s defensive duo of Gregor Kobel and Nico Schlotterbeck mirrored their club solidity, and Bayern’s Niklas Süle remained mute. The list underscores how World Cup form can boost or blunt a club’s reputation heading into the 2025‑26 season.