World Cup 2026 Defensive Stats: Most Tackles, Interceptions, Clearances, Aerial Wins, Duels Won

With the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals set, it’s as good a time as any to pay tribute to those who proved the best defence is, actually, a good defence. The players who put their bodies on the line for the good of their nation.

And you can be sure there are some familiar faces atop the relevant metrics as we run through the defensive stat leaders in North America so far.

World Cup Top Tackler: Andres Cubas brings the bite to the World Cup 2026

Vancouver Whitecaps hatchet man Andres Cubas was hugely effective off the ball this summer as Paraguay progressed to the last-16 of the World Cup 2026.

Admittedly, Cubas’ style of play lands him in hot water with officials yet he still ranks top for tackles (23) in the summer showpiece. Compatriot Juan Jose Caceres (22) for this metric, while Ghana’s Marvin Senaya (20) rounds off the podium.

Yan Diomande warrants a shout out here, the Ivorian having made 13 tackles without being dribbled past during his time at the tournament. It's the most at the World Cup 2026 of those yet to be dribbled past.

World Cup 2026 Most Tackles

World Cup Top Interceptor: Dayot Upamecano’s reading of the game key in France’s pursuit of success

Dayot Upamecano has maximised his impressive reading of the game to help France secure a quarter-final spot.

The Bayern Munich star’s best quality has always been to snuff out danger and this quality to his game has been key for Les Bleus.

The 27-year-old ranks top for interceptions (12) at the 2026 World Cup, with Yazan Al Arab and Andres Cubas (both 11) his closest competitor.

Of those still remaining in the World Cup, Aymeric Laporte (10) is the closest to challenging Upamecano in this metric.

World Cup 2026 Most Interceptions

World Cup Top Clearance Maker: Sunderland and Bournemouth target Tarik Muharemovic often in the right place at the right time

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup adventure ended with a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts USA in the round-of-32.

However, Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic did all he could to help his nation progress as far as possible.

The Sassuolo man was so often in the right place at the right time to ease pressure on the Bosnia and Herzegovina goal having made more clearances (43) than any other player at the World Cup 2026 so far.

It’s no wonder, then, that the 23-year-old is attracting Premier League interest.

World Cup 2026 Most Clearances

World Cup Top Aerial Winner: Big Harry Souttar maximises standing to dominate in the air

Australia may have crashed out of the World Cup 2026 via penalties against Egypt in the round-of-32.

However, Harry Souttar put in a monumental display to take the match to a shootout, even if he missed his spotkick.

Even so, Souttar has won more aerial duels (21) than any other player at the tournament. Arsenal and Brazil centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes ranks second for this metric (17).

World Cup 2026 Most Aerial Duels Won

World Cup Top Duel Winner: England star Elliot Anderson second to Paraguayan workhorse

Juan Jose Caceres did all he could to secure Paraguay’s quarter-final spot. The right-back was hugely effective out of possession, evident in that he ranks top for duels won (45) at the World Cup 2026.

It’s a metric that England midfielder Elliot Anderson ranks second for (40). Alex Freeman (37) completes the top three.

Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi can be expected to make it into the top three before long. The PSG man has won 36 duels so far, while Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye has won 34.

World Cup 2026 Most Duels Won