Top 3 Players to Follow Up in 2026 World Cup - Group B - Comparisonator AI Football Scouting

As the 2026 World Cup – Group B progresses, several young talents are making their mark. Here are three standout U23 players who have been turning heads with their performances. Ayoub Al-Oui from Qatar, Niko Sigur from Canada and Ermin Mahmic from Bosnia-Herzegovina are analyzed based on data from Comparisonator platform. Their impressive statistics highlight their influence on the pitch and their potential for future success.

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Ayoub Al-Oui(RB – ’05) – Qatar (Al Gharafa Performance)

Ayoub Al-Oui‘s CompaAI Parameters League Defensive report:

Ayoub Al-Oui’s standout defensive strength is his elite shot-blocking and clearance output. He ranks 1st out of 5 in both Shots blocked with 0.85 per match and Clearances with 1.92 per match. Compared with the closest challengers, the gap is notable: the next-best shot-blocker is Nabil Irfan with 0.17, while in clearances he follows Nabil Irfan at 1.72. This combination indicates a full-back profile that is highly active inside the defensive zone, capable of protecting the box and dealing with direct pressure effectively. Tactically, this can be valuable in a lower-block structure, in matches where the RB has to defend the back post frequently, or when the team is exposed to crossing situations and second-ball pressure. A second major strength is his ability to contribute in advanced defensive regain zones. Ayoub ranks 2nd out of 5 in Ball recoveries in the opponent’s box with 0.31, behind Younes El Hannach at 0.43; and 2nd out of 5 in Interceptions / in opp. half with 0.85, just behind Nabil Irfan at 0.89. These figures suggest he can engage high up the pitch and create defensive value beyond his own third. For a right-back, this profile points to good anticipation, aggressive positioning, and the ability to support counterpressing or high pressing structures. He can be used as a proactive defender who steps into midfield zones and helps win the ball early, especially against opponents building short through his side. Ayoub also ranks strongly in duel resistance and overall defensive involvement. He is 2nd out of 5 in Dribbles against won with 1.92, trailing Simo at 2.08; 2nd out of 5 in Defensive actions with 37.46, just behind Nabil Irfan at 38; and 2nd out of 5 in Successful defensive actions with 22.46, behind Nabil Irfan at 23. This points to a defender who is consistently engaged in one-v-one and team defensive work, rather than being a passive or low-activity full-back.

Ayoub Al-Oui’s strongest seasonal defensive outputs are clearly Shots blocked (1st, 0.85) and Clearances (1st, 1.92), supported by strong rankings in Dribbles against won, Defensive actions, and Successful defensive actions. His profile points to a right-back who is active, duel-capable, and valuable in direct defensive phases, with additional usefulness in higher pressing and counterpressing structures. The main limitation is the gap in successful defensive actions, %, where he sits 4th of 5, plus the fact that several regain metrics are strong but not leading.

Ayoub Al-Oui(RB – ’05) – Qatar (Al Gharafa Performance)

Niko Sigur(RB – ’03) – Canada (Hajduk Split Performance)

Niko Sigur‘s CompaAI Parameters League Defensive report:

Niko Sigur’s strongest defensive trait is his ability to recover possession at an elite level. He ranks 1st out of 15 RBs with 11.47 ball recoveries per match, ahead of Kristijan Pavicic on 9.54. This volume shows a player who is constantly involved in regaining control, with strong scanning, timing, and reaction in both open play and transitional moments. Tactically, this can be very valuable for a team that wants an aggressive right-back who can break opponent attacks early and quickly restore possession. He also leads the position ball recoveries in his own half with 7.47 per match, narrowly above Kristijan Pavicic at 7.46, and in ball recoveries in the opponent half with 3.93, ahead of Mario Ticinovic on 3.33. This balance indicates that Sigur is not limited to deep defensive work; he can also step up and win the ball higher up the pitch. That profile suggests a full-back who can support an active pressing structure, compress space, and help the team sustain territorial pressure. His 0.73 recoveries in the opponent’s box per match also rank 1st out of 15, above Ante Orec at 0.55, which points to a rare ability for his position to get involved in the final defensive phase and arrive in dangerous areas to disrupt attacks close to goal. Another major strength is his counterpressing output, where he ranks 1st out of 15 with 4.8 counterpressing recoveries per match, ahead of Mario Ticinovic on 4.42. This is a strong indicator of immediate reaction after possession loss and good short-distance intensity. In tactical terms, Sigur can be effective in systems that demand fast ball recovery after turnovers, especially when the right-back is expected to step into midfield zones and help suffocate second balls and loose touches.

Niko Sigur’s best seasonal defensive parameters are his ball recoveries, recoveries in both halves, recoveries in the opponent’s box, counterpressing recoveries, and successful defensive actions, %, all of which place him at or near the top of the RB group. This points to a right-back with strong recovery instincts, excellent pressing response, and high defensive efficiency. His main relative weakness is clearances, where he trails the top performers by a noticeable margin, suggesting he is more effective in proactive and transitional defending than in prolonged low-block survival.

Niko Sigur(RB – ’03) – Canada (Hajduk Split Performance)

Ermin Mahmic(AMF – ’05) – Bosnia-Herzegovina (Slovan Liberec Performance)

Ermin Mahmic‘s CompaAI Parameters League Offensive report:

Mahmic’s seasonal offensive profile is built around volume, direct attacking involvement, and strong final-third ball progression. He ranks 1st out of 7 AMFs for Goals (0.33), Expected Goals/xG (0.21), Shots (3.13), Shots on target (0.87), and Opportunities (1.6). This combination points to a player who consistently gets into shooting positions, takes responsibility in the attacking phase, and creates a steady stream of goal threats. His output is not only about finishing, but also about generating repeated attacking actions close to goal. A major strength is his ability to attack space and carry the ball into advanced zones. He ranks 2nd out of 7 for Assists (0.2), Dribbles (2.33), Successful dribbles (1.2), Dribbling in the final third (1.73), Successful dribbling in the final third (0.8), Progressive runs (1.87), and Ball carrying (0.4). Compared with the leaders, he is close to David Planka in several of these actions, while also matching Christos Zafeiris in Dribbles (2.33). This suggests Mahmic can be a productive ball-progressing AMF who connects midfield to attack through carrying, dribbling, and forward movement rather than relying only on static possession. His third strong area is his broader attacking involvement. He ranks 3rd out of 7 for Playing in scoring attacks (0.53), Shot assists (1.47), Shot on target assists (0.47), Touches in box (2.13), Offensive actions (23.33), Successful offensive actions (14.67), Successful offensive actions % (62.86%), and Shots on target converted to goals % (38.46%).

Mahmic’s best seasonal rankings are in Goals, xG, Shots, Shots on target, and Opportunities, where he leads the AMF group under 23. His profile is strongly offensive, direct, and vertically aggressive. The main limitation is that his shot accuracy and pure chance-creation metrics are not as strong as his volume-based attacking output. Overall, he looks like a high-activity attacking midfielder who can be used to provide goal threat, ball progression, and final-third penetration, with his greatest value likely coming in a role that lets him attack space and finish actions rather than only dictate them.