SouthernWorldwide.com – The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and while the focus is often on goal scorers, the importance of assists in determining a tournament’s top playmaker cannot be overstated.
In the 2022 World Cup, the honor of leading the tournament in assists was shared by a formidable quartet: Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Ivan Perišić. Each contributed significantly to their team’s attacking prowess through their passing game.
More recently, the 2024 European Championship showcased the emergence of a new talent. Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old prodigy, finished the tournament with the most assists. Remarkably, he was only 16 years old when he achieved this feat, highlighting his exceptional vision and execution on the field.
Another player to watch is Christian Pulisic. He enters the upcoming tournament with a strong record of 19 career assists for the U.S. men’s national team. Furthermore, his performance in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign was notable, as he was one of only two players to achieve a double-double of at least 10 goals and nine assists.
With these impressive statistics and past performances in mind, the question arises: who will be the standout creator in the 2026 World Cup? Examining the latest odds for the “Player to Assist Most Goals” market, as of June 2, provides valuable insights into the potential frontrunners.
Here are the current odds:
- Bruno Fernandes: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
- Michael Olise: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
- Lionel Messi: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
- Lamine Yamal: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
- Viní Jr.: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
- Kylian Mbappé: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
- Kevin De Bruyne: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
- Jeremy Doku: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
- Florian Wirtz: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
- Raphinha: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
- Ousmane Dembélé: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
- Nico Williams: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Understanding these odds requires a closer look at the players and their recent form.
Read more : 2026 World Cup Top Scorers for National Teams
The Case for Bruno Fernandes: Bruno Fernandes is currently the favorite at +900. His performance in the 2022 World Cup was exceptional, leading the tournament in assists despite playing only four matches. This past season, he further cemented his reputation by winning Premier League Player of the Season, recording a record 21 assists for Manchester United.
Given Portugal’s strong prospects of advancing deep into the tournament, Fernandes is well-positioned to be a primary creator for his national team.
The Strong Contenders: Following closely behind is Michael Olise, who is set to make his World Cup debut. Olise has demonstrated remarkable playmaking ability, recording an impressive 29 assists in all competitions for Bayern Munich during the 2025-26 season. His overall record with the club is stellar, with 51 assists in 63 total matches.
Global superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are also among the top contenders, both currently priced at +1200. Messi has a rich history in the FIFA World Cup, with eight career assists, a record he shares for the most in tournament history. Yamal, fresh off his success at the Euros, will be looking to translate that playmaking magic onto the World Cup stage in his debut.
Other players like Viní Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Florian Wirtz are also considered strong candidates, each with the potential to deliver crucial assists throughout the tournament. Their odds, ranging from +1400 to +2000, reflect their proven abilities and the expectations placed upon them.
The odds also highlight emerging talents and players from strong national teams, such as Raphinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Nico Williams, who are listed at +2500. Their inclusion suggests that they could be valuable dark horses for the top assist honors.
Ultimately, the race for the most assists in the 2026 World Cup promises to be a captivating subplot, driven by the creativity and vision of the world’s elite playmakers.
