Top 5 centre-back pairs set to dominate European football in 2026

As the old saying goes, “Attack wins you games. Defence wins you titles.”

It’s imperative for a top football team to have a reliable backline, especially when it comes to centre-backs. Even though the role has transformed over time, possessing solid defensive attributes remains key.

In modern-day football, defenders are expected to do more than just defend, with most teams requiring them to assist in build-up play and act as a goal threat in the opposition box on set pieces. Some are even versatile enough to play in different positions at the back, offering their side additional flexibility in case of injuries.

Even though defenders don’t hog the same limelight as attackers do, their importance to the team cannot be overstated. Here, we present five centre-back pairings that we believe will dominate European football in 2026.

Note: These pairings have been selected from the teams that play a back-four formation in defence. 

5. Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão | Real Madrid CF

Antonio Rüdiger and Eder Militão formed the defensive bedrock of Real Madrid’s success two seasons back, when they won the Champions League and LaLiga. Both defenders are physically strong with great defensive awareness and superb tackling abilities. 

Due to a long-term ACL injury to Militão, the partnership was broken last year, which was also one of the reasons Los Blancos failed to win any trophies towards the business end of the season. This year, while they have started on a positive footing, regular injuries to Rüdiger and Militão keep hampering their progress. Though Real Madrid have added talented young Spanish defender Dean Huijsen to their ranks, they still need experience at the back to maintain composure. Moreover, both Rüdiger and Militão are also dangerous on the other end of the pitch, having contributed with vital goals in tight games. 

This season, Xabi Alonso & Co very much remain strong contenders to win both LaLiga and the Champions League, and it’s imperative that they get to field their two best defenders. If Rüdiger and Militão feature regularly, they’ll bring the defensive nous, ability, and experience to marshal the defence and lead Real Madrid to major silverware next year.

4. Ilya Zabarnyi and Willian Pacho | Paris Saint-Germain FC

The most successful side in Europe last season, PSG have earned several plaudits with their exciting attacking play under Luis Enrique. However, their backline also warrants a lot of credit for their overall performances.

The reigning European champions have a perfect combination of experience and youth in their defensive setup. While veteran Marquinhos captains the team from the back, young Willian Pacho has been an inspired addition, having joined in the summer last year and helped them to an unprecedented treble. This season as well, PSG have won four out of their five games in the Champions League and remain overwhelming favourites for the Ligue 1 title.

With Marquinhos now in his thirties, PSG made another vital addition to their defence, bringing in Ukrainian centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth at the start of this season, and he has got going right away. In the absence of their talismanic Brazilian captain, Zabarnyi has proved his mettle in the 16 appearances he has made so far. Elated with his performances, PSG will be more comfortable managing Marquinhos’ minutes going forward and, eventually, moving on from him.

Though both Zabarnyi and Pacho are young with a lot of scope for further improvement, both are already excellent defenders. While Zabarnyi excels in progressive passing and can ping a long ball, Pacho is more of a facilitator who keeps his composure under pressure and can make accurate short passes to keep things ticking. Both complement each other well, which will further enhance their performances as a pair, bringing some much-needed balance at the back.

3. Gonçalo Inácio and Ousmane Diomande | Sporting CP

Right now, Sporting have two of the most talented young centre-backs in Europe in Ousmane Diomande and Gonçalo Inácio, both of whom have quietly strengthened the team at the back. 

The reigning Liga Portugal champions are currently second in the league table, having conceded only six goals in 11 games. They’ve also performed well in the Champions League and sit in the top eight, having conceded five goals in five games and lost just once. 

Both Inácio and Diomande offer contrasting physical attributes but complement each other beautifully. While Inácio is not the tallest of centre-backs, he possesses pace, agility, great composure, and positional awareness to go with his tackling and ball-playing abilities. Diomande, meanwhile, is more physically imposing, while also being excellent in aerial duels and one-on-one defending, with explosive pace and excellent build-up support with his progressive passing and vision. 

With both defenders in top form, they could lead the Leões to another Liga Portugal title and even a deep run in the Champions League. The fact that elite European sides are keeping an eye on these two is a testament to their talent, and there’s a huge possibility that either one or both of them leave Sporting for greener pastures next summer. 

2. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah | FC Bayern Munich

A lot has been said about Bayern Munich’s attackers this season, who have been scoring for fun, but a lot of credit also needs to be given to their defence, with the centre-backs in particular having been providing some much-needed stability at the back. 

Now in his fifth season at Bayern, Frenchman Dayot Upamecano has been playing alongside newcomer Jonathan Tah at the heart of the defence this season. In 11 games so far in the Bundesliga, the Bavarians have only conceded eight goals and are sitting comfortably at the top of the league table, while also being well-placed in the Champions League table with six goals conceded in five games. 

Last season, Bayern won the league comfortably but showed defensive frailties, making it crucial for coach Vincent Kompany to address the issue in the summer. Tah was thus roped in from Bayer Leverkusen, and the move has paid rich dividends. Both Tah and Upamecano are physically imposing, great in tackles, and have composure on the ball. Additionally, Upamecano possesses great ball-carrying ability to help his side build from the back.

Now with a reliable centre-back pairing, Bayern seem to have addressed most of their defensive issues from last season and could very well target continental glory in the coming year.

1. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães | Arsenal FC

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have arguably been the best centre-back pairing in Europe for a few seasons now. This season, though, they look virtually impenetrable.

Arsenal ended last season ten points behind winners Liverpool, but their defence conceded the fewest goals. However, this season, their defending has gone up several notches. They’ve conceded only six goals in 13 league games thus far and only one goal in the Champions League. Their robust defensive structure sees them top both the Premier League and Champions League tables.

The Brazilian defender, Gabriel, is a physical operator: great in tackling and duels as well as a massive threat in the air, having scored many important goals for them in recent years. He is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and makes progressive passes frequently. His French partner in crime, Saliba, is also a strong defender with great recovery pace, composure beyond his years, and excellent in one-on-one situations, with his anticipation and awareness second to none. Both defenders are also starters for their national sides.

With Gabriel and Saliba at the heart of their defence, the Gunners are frontrunners for both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season.