Anthony Gordon just became the fastest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hitting a top speed of 37.92 km/h.

According to data compiled by Pro Direct Soccer from the 2025/26 club season, Gordon’s 37.92 km/h sprint sits comfortably atop the tournament’s speed leaderboard. Micky van de Ven clocked in second at 37.4 km/h. Gabriel Martinelli and Bradley Barcola each hit 36.7 km/h, while Djed Spence rounded out the top five at 36.6 km/h.

For context, Gordon’s half a kilometer per hour advantage over van de Ven might sound marginal. In a foot race over 50 meters, it translates to roughly a body length. In football terms, that’s the difference between reaching a through ball and watching it roll into the keeper’s arms.

Gordon, who rose through the Everton academy before transferring to Newcastle United in 2023 and then to FC Barcelona ahead of this tournament, has been a key contributor for England at the World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The 25-year-old left winger has already registered assists in England’s match against DR Congo. Born on February 24, 2001, Gordon’s trajectory from local academy prospect to Barcelona’s squad and now the World Cup’s fastest player is the kind of arc that player performance markets were designed to capture.