The report credits Tillman with two goals and one assist across five matches. His most memorable contribution came against Belgium, when a free kick brought the United States level at 1-1.
That goal captured the qualities behind his high rating: technical execution, attacking intent and the ability to affect a major match. Tillman was not simply involved in possession; he contributed directly in the final third while maintaining a steady level across the campaign.
The United States were eventually eliminated in the round of 16, but Tillman’s individual performance remained one of the positive stories from their tournament.
The comparison makes the ranking more striking. The report says Rodri was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, while Bellingham finished with six goals, including two-goal performances against Mexico and Norway.
Tillman’s case was different. His two goals and one assist did not match Bellingham’s scoring output, yet his overall rating placed him above both midfielders. That points to the value of sustained influence rather than only spectacular moments or headline numbers.
The next test will come in club football during the 2026-27 season. If Tillman can reproduce the balance of creativity, goals and consistency described in the report, his World Cup ranking may look less like a surprise and more like a marker of his growing status.