When Fifa released the fastest sprint speeds from the opening round of the 2026 World Cup, the name at the top of the list was not one many expected: Australia defender Jordan Bos, who reached 36.7 km/h during his country's 2-0 win over Turkey. That made him quicker than established speedsters such as Kylian Mbappe, Son Heung-min and Pedro Neto, with only Norway's Erling Haaland and Uzbekistan's Abdukodir Khusanov coming close at 36.5 km/h.
Bos is a 23-year-old left-back for Dutch side Feyenoord, where he has just completed the best season of his career. Under manager Robin van Persie, he recorded nine assists (the most in the squad) and four goals, helping Feyenoord finish second in the Eredivisie and qualify for the Champions League.
“Meet Jordan Bos, the 23-year-old Australia defender who clocked the fastest sprint speed at World Cup 2026.”
His rise to prominence is remarkable because he was not always the physical specimen he is today. Australia team-mate Connor Metcalfe, who knew Bos from their time in Melbourne City's academy, recalled: "Out of nowhere, just after an off-season, he came back and he was a unit." Bos had been technically gifted but physically small compared to his peers. Then a dramatic growth spurt transformed him.
This trajectory has invited comparisons with former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. Like Bale, Bos spent his youth as a relatively small left-sided defender before a late growth spurt (Bale grew around 20 centimetres) altered his physique and potential. Without size or strength to rely on, Bos first developed his balance, ball control and intelligence. By the time his body caught up, he had the technical foundation to become a devastating athlete.
For UK football fans, Bos is a name to watch. His style and story echo Bale's, and with Feyenoord in the Champions League and Bos's World Cup performances drawing attention, a move to a Premier League club is a plausible next step. His speed alone makes him a threat, but his technical background suggests he is more than just a sprinter.
Q: How fast is Jordan Bos? Bos recorded a top speed of 36.7 km/h during Australia's opening World Cup match against Turkey, the fastest of any player in the tournament's opening round, according to Fifa's official tracking data.
Q: Who is Jordan Bos? Jordan Bos is a 23-year-old Australian left-back who plays for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. He was born in Melbourne and came through the Melbourne City academy before moving to Europe. He has established himself as one of the most productive full-backs in Dutch football.
Q: Why is he compared to Gareth Bale? Like Bale, Bos was a relatively small, technically gifted left-sided defender in his youth before experiencing a dramatic late growth spurt. Bale grew about 20 centimetres and transformed from an undersized full-back into a world-class athlete. Bos has followed a similar path, developing his technical skills first and then adding physical power.
What happens next? Australia face co-hosts USA in their next World Cup group match, with Bos expected to start. His speed could be a key weapon, and his performances will be scrutinised by scouts from Europe's top leagues.