The playmakers have set the tempo at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and one creator sits comfortably on top. Using Sofascore data, here are the current leaders for key passes, the stat that tells you who supplies the final ball before a shot. This category shines a light on vision, timing and decision making. It also lines up nicely with what you see on the pitch, which is why fans track it live on Sofascore. Let’s break down the numbers and what they say about each star’s influence.

Argentina’s captain leads the list with 22 key passes, setting the highest benchmark of the tournament so far. Morocco’s flying fullback Achraf Hakimi is next on 18, which is remarkable production from a defender. Leandro Trossard sits third with 17, showing how Belgium’s front line shares chance creation. Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappé are tied on 16, and neither needs many touches to tilt a game. The headline is simple: 22 at the top, four back to second, and a tight chase right behind.

Key passes leaderboard, top five

– Lionel Messi, Argentina: 22
– Achraf Hakimi, Morocco: 18
– Leandro Trossard, Belgium: 17
– Mohamed Salah, Egypt: 16
– Kylian Mbappé, France: 16

The gap tells a story. A total of 22 opens clear daylight to the rest and underlines just how often Argentina’s talisman feeds shooting chances. Hakimi’s 18 is a standout number for a fullback, reflecting Morocco’s willingness to build attacks from wide areas and trust his delivery. Trossard at 17 shows Belgium’s blend of movement and short combinations, with the winger drifting into pockets to slip runners through. Salah’s 16 confirms his dual role as scorer and creator, finding cutbacks and slide‑rule passes in transition. Mbappé, also on 16, threatens with direct running and quick layoffs that turn half openings into real chances. From first to fifth, the margins are narrow, which keeps the chasing pack in play.

Why key passes matter at this World Cup

Key passes connect possession to shots, so they are a neat shorthand for chance creation. High totals often explain why a team keeps generating looks even when finishing cools off. They also reveal where creation comes from. With Hakimi near the top, you see how fullbacks can be primary playmakers when systems push them high. With Messi leading, you see the classic No.10 profile still thriving, dropping in to receive and threading through runners. Salah and Mbappé remind us that elite scorers create for others at similar volume, especially in broken‑field situations. Trossard adds the winger‑creator template, sharp between the lines and precise with the final ball. Track this stat on Sofascore during matches and you quickly spot momentum swings before the scoreboard moves.

The chase behind the leader

From 18 down to 16, the spread is small, and that keeps the race interesting. A single game with three or four quality passes can shuffle places two to five. Hakimi’s service from the right keeps Morocco’s forwards well supplied, and set‑piece deliveries add extra chances to rack up numbers. Belgium’s rotations around Trossard free space for through balls and cutbacks, so his 17 has room to grow. Salah’s tally should keep ticking when Egypt win turnovers high and spring runners beyond the last line. Mbappé’s surge numbers can spike quickly on nights when France attack early and often. Even with a leader at 22, the pack is positioned to make this the tightest creative race of the tournament.

Patterns behind the numbers

Each creator brings a distinct method. Messi’s entries often start outside the box and end with disguised passes into the penalty area. Hakimi overlaps, underlaps and crosses on the move, which pushes defenders into awkward decisions. Trossard thrives on one‑twos and diagonal passes that find back‑post runs. Salah’s body shape sells a shot before he slips a teammate in. Mbappé bends the game with pace, then times square balls and cutbacks once defenders collapse. For fans, Sofascore layers these tendencies with live maps, pass breakdowns and the Sofascore Rating so you can judge not just volume, but impact.

Keep an eye on the creators

Argentina arrived as title holders, and their main architect sits atop the creative chart. The rest of the top five come from sides built to attack quickly and efficiently, which is exactly where key passes pile up. Expect a couple of swings before the final whistle of the competition. If one of the chasers strings together a big night, second place could flip more than once. Follow every match on Sofascore to watch the leaderboard move in real time, and see which playmaker finishes with the most important pass of all.