Goals win matches, but assists win tournaments. At Qatar 2022 a tournament that produced 172 goals, the highest total in World Cup history the players pulling the strings behind the scenes were every bit as influential as the finishers. From a GOAT completing his legacy to a Croatian veteran defying his years, here are the ten players who created the most at football's grandest stage.
Five players shared the top spot with three assists apiece: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Ivan Perišić (Croatia), Antoine Griezmann (France), Harry Kane (England), and Bruno Fernandes (Portugal). A further nine players finished on two assists, making Qatar 2022 one of the most collectively creative tournaments in recent memory.
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| Rank | Player | Country | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 3 |
| 1 | Ivan Perišić | Croatia | 3 |
| 1 | Antoine Griezmann | France | 3 |
| 1 | Harry Kane | England | 3 |
| 1 | Bruno Fernandes | Portugal | 3 |
| 6 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 2 |
| 6 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | 2 |
| 6 | Theo Hernández | France | 2 |
| 6 | Denzel Dumfries | Netherlands | 2 |
| 6 | Jordi Alba | Spain | 2 |
Jordi Alba (Spain) | 2 Assists
The veteran Barcelona full-back was Spain's metronome down the left flank. Alba's overlapping runs and precise delivery created havoc in the group stage, though La Roja's tournament ended in heartbreak against Morocco on penalties in the Round of 16. Two assists in just four appearances speaks to his consistency at the highest level.
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) | 2 Assists
The Inter Milan wing-back was arguably the Netherlands' most dynamic outlet in Qatar. Dumfries combined relentless energy with genuine quality in the final third, his two assists helping the Oranje reach the quarter-finals before falling to Argentina in a pulsating shootout.
Theo Hernández (France) | 2 Assists
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Stepping in for the injured Lucas Hernández, Theo more than filled the void. The AC Milan left-back was a constant threat going forward, and his two assists underlined France's remarkable strength in depth even in positions they might have expected to be weakened.
Ousmane Dembélé (France) | 2 Assists
Qatar 2022 was a statement tournament for the Barcelona winger. Two assists and a constant menace with his direct dribbling and low crosses made Dembélé one of the finest wide players of the competition. He was among four French players to finish on two assists, testament to the collective creativity of Didier Deschamps' side.
Kylian Mbappé (France) | 2 Assists
When you score eight goals, it is easy to overlook the assists — but Mbappé's two creative contributions only add to the case for him as the tournament's dominant individual. He was not merely a finisher in Qatar; he was a complete attacker whose vision and movement created space for teammates throughout.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) | 3 Assists
The Manchester United captain was Portugal's creative engine. Fernandes combined goals with creation throughout — his three assists made him the standout playmaker in a Seleção side that reached the quarter-finals before succumbing to Morocco. His tournament was a reminder of his elite-level quality when performing at his best on the international stage.
Harry Kane (England) | 3 Assists
A curious entry, given Kane failed to score from open play. But the England captain's role evolved in Qatar dropping deep to link play and create for teammates rather than simply finish. Three assists in six matches showed a different dimension to one of Europe's most prolific strikers, even if his side's exit to France in the quarters left more questions than answers.
Antoine Griezmann (France) | 3 Assists
France's unsung hero. Griezmann's role as a deep-lying playmaker saw him create numerous chances throughout the competition, finishing as one of the tournament's most influential figures despite rarely making headlines. His three assists were the product of relentless pressing, intelligent movement, and a footballing intelligence that makes him one of the most complete players of his generation.
Ivan Perišić (Croatia) | 3 Assists
At 33, the Tottenham winger defied age and expectation to deliver one of the finest individual tournaments of his career. Three assists — including one in the third-place play-off — made him Croatia's most creative force in Qatar. Perišić's ability to deliver from wide positions and drift inside to create gave Zlatko Dalić's side a dimension few expected going into the competition.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) 🥇 | 3 Assists
The greatest player in the history of the sport saved his finest World Cup performance for last. Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists, with his creative contribution against Croatia in the semi-final — a mesmeric run past Josko Gvardiol before teeing up Julián Álvarez — standing as one of the great individual moments of any World Cup. Three assists alongside seven goals is a combination no player in the tournament came close to matching. The Golden Ball was the least he deserved.
The Verdict
Qatar 2022 was a tournament where creativity was spread across nations and positions — full-backs, deep midfielders, wingers and strikers all featured in the assist charts. At the top, one name stood above the rest. Messi's combination of goals and assists in a single tournament has arguably never been bettered by any player in World Cup history. With the 2026 World Cup in North America on the horizon, the question is simple: can anyone come close to replicating it?
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