The Best Right-Backs in World Football Ranked (2026)

A full-back’s role has changed significantly in recent years, with managers now wanting more than just defensive stability from their right-back.

The best of the best have to be just as good going forward, building attacks and contributing to goals all while stifling wingers coming back the other way… but who is the top right-back around today?

Ranking factors

To help rank the right-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months
• Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team’s performances
• Role – how unique their skillset is
• Reputation – what others say about them

Here’s a rundown of the top 10 right-backs in world football and why they feature…

10

Konrad Laimer

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

REUTERS/Maryam Majd

One player who has slipped under the radar in the last 12 months is Konrad Laimer. He quietly played his part in the game of the year when Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain squared off last season, and he did not look out of place once.

As PSG’s deadly frontline drove forward, he sent them back the other way by sending Bayern on the front foot. He’s not the flashiest name on this list, but there’s a reason why Vincent Kompany trusts the Austrian to play the right-back role in such an elite side on every big occasion.

9

Djed Spence

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REUTERS/Sam Navarro

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Like Porro, the World Cup offered Spence a chance to revive himself after a disastrous Premier League campaign at Tottenham. And the England international did exactly that, often emerging from the bench to enjoy excellent cameos for Thomas Tuchel.

His versatility proved key at times and has since earned a move to Inter Milan. Spence hasn’t taken the easy path to the top, but he will deem everything worthwhile now that he is at one of the biggest clubs that European football has to offer.

8

Matheus Nunes

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REUTERS/Scott Heppell

REUTERS/Lee Smith

In April 2026, Pep Guardiola hailed Nunes as “one of the best right-backs in the world” and it’s hard to disagree with that viewpoint.

The Portuguese initially signed as a midfielder but as Pep did with Oleksandr Zinchenko, he has transformed Nunes into a swashbuckling full-back.

He’s certainly one of the best in the Premier League now in his position.

7

Pedro Porro

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REUTERS/Tim Heitman

REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

The idea that Pedro Porro is one of the best right-backs in the world seemed laughable at the end of last season. After all, he played his part in a Tottenham side that needed a last-day result to avoid a monumental relegation.

Since then, however, he’s become a World Cup winner with Spain and sent a timely reminder of his quality. The Tottenham man is primed to reach his best form under Roberto De Zerbi and has earned his place among the best following such a successful summer with his country.

6

Trent Alexander-Arnold

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REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

REUTERS/Albert Gea

It wasn’t an easy first year for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his quality hasn’t disappeared overnight. Previously called “one of the best right-backs in the world” by the legendary Cafu, his ability on the ball outweighs any criticism of his defensive attributes.

Dubbed “one of the best passers in world football”, the 27-year-old is likely to return to his best form under new manager Jose Mourinho and prove why he is one of the best right-backs in world football.

5

Reece James

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REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

You name it, Reece James can do it. Not only is he an incredible defender but, much like Trent, he’s also capable of playing in midfield and dictating the tempo of a game.

He can lock down attackers, create goalscoring opportunities and he’s a mighty fine set-piece taker as well. What’s not to like?

4

Denzel Dumfries

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REUTERS/Raquel Cunha

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Denzel Dumfries has been described as a “monster” of a right-back, and excelled at Inter Milan in an attacking wing-back role, earning himself a move to Real Madrid.

Under Mourinho, the Dutchman will push Alexander-Arnold all the way for a starting place. If all goes well, then it may well be the move of his career.

3

Jules Kounde

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REUTERS/Albert Gea

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A wanted right-back, with Arsenal and Liverpool exploring a move for the French star in recent seasons, Jules Kounde is comfortably one of the best in the world.

The Barcelona man is in the prime of his career at 27 years old and can do it all. Having performed on the biggest stages for Barcelona and France, he doesn’t look likely to dip below his current quality for many years to come.

Hailed as a “very important player” by Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, there’s still more to come from Kounde.

2

Jurrien Timber

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REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Jurrien Timber has been making up for lost time as an Arsenal player after missing the majority of his first season through injury.

Signed from Ajax after starring for the Dutch giants, Timber has now been impressing under Mikel Arteta and has nailed down a right-back role at the Emirates.

Arguably the best right-back in the Premier League, Timber now comfortably takes his place as one of the world’s best.

1

Achraf Hakimi

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REUTERS/David Butler Ii

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Luis Enrique has helped transform Paris Saint-Germain after moving on superstar names such as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but one star who has remained at the club during that time is Achraf Hakimi, who is currently the best right-back around.

The Morocco icon has been dubbed the “number one” right-back by Micah Richards, with his Transfermarkt valuation standing at an eye-catching €80m.