The stakes are rising at the FIFA World Cup as nations battle for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament, but which ones have done enough to make our Power Rankings?
Every week we assess the top teams based on rolling performance and results to find out who is the best of the best in 2026.
World Cup Power Rankings:
15. Cape Verde 🆕
We are pretty sure this will be the smallest country that ever features in our rankings. Cape Verde have been excellent so far, unexpectedly taking a point each off Spain and Uruguay to go unbeaten in their opening two games.
Their defence has been mightily impressive and they arguably should have been Uruguay last Sunday. With the two most daunting matches out of the way, only Saudi Arabia stands between them a place in the round of 32.
14. Colombia 🆕
The World Cup is just better when Colombia are competitive. They have fun players who can light the tournament up in any given match; there’s Luis Diaz terrorising defences, Daniel Munoz marauding down the wing, and James Rodriguez still doing his thing at 34-years-old. They can clinch top spot in Group K with a draw against Portugal on Saturday, but don’t expect them to settle for just a point.
13. Ivory Coast 🆕
This Ivory Coast side might be the most impressive we have ever seen, which says a lot when you think of some of the illustrious names they have had in recent decades. Teenager Yan Diomande is the star man, but they play like a well oiled team that can hurt you in different ways.
12. Mexico 🆕
Mexico ended the group stage with a 100 per cent record, winning all three of their games while scoring six goals and conceding none. The co-hosts did have one of the weaker groups, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
11. Morocco ⬇️ (last week: 8)
We fully expected Morocco to be tighter at the back against Haiti on Wednesday, but in fairness to the Haitians, they are a better side than what they are given credit for.
The main takeaway from Morocco’s comeback victory is that they were able to turn it on in attack when they needed to. They will be a very dangerous team for any side they face in the next round.
10. United States ⬇️ (7)
A slight downgrade for the US after they lost their dead rubber encounter with Türkiye, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men were nonetheless entertaining and head into the knockouts in a great place.
9. England ⬇️ (3)
Deary me. All the excitement that came out of England’s impressive win over Croatia was popped like a balloon when they were held to a goalless draw by Ghana on Tuesday. The Three Lions were mostly fine without being exceptional in the first half, but their inability to turn the screw after the interval was deeply worrying.
This felt like same old England at a major tournament, incapable of breaking down a well organised defence. That said, Nico O’Reilly and Harry Kane came incredibly close to winning it late on.
8. Germany ⬇️ (4)
Even though Germany are the joint-top scorers (10 goals) in the competition at the time of writing, there is something about them that fails to convince.
Die Mannschaft needed a late rally to beat Ivory Coast last Saturday and were pinned to their collar for most of the match as they lost the midfield battle. They subsequently lost to Ecuador despite going ahead after two minutes. Yes, they were already through anyway, but Julian Nagelsmann selected his strongest XI for the game. They were also extremely lucky that Leroy Sane’s goal wasn’t called back for a foul in the build up.
Germany undoubtedly possess one of the better squads in the tournament, but they will struggle to knock off any of the main contenders in the knockout phase.
7. Brazil 🆕
Carlo Ancelotti has gotten Brazil back on track after that very concerning performance against Morocco on matchday one. Perhaps we shouldn’t give him too much credit for beating Haiti and Scotland three goals each, but the manager made some key changes that has sparked an improvement, namely the introduction of Matheus Cunha.
Still, the doubts haven’t disappeared. Raphinha may not play again this summer after sustaining an injury, which means they will be depend on Vinicius Junior to carry their attack even more. His moments of magic steered Brazil to the top of Group C, but will that be enough to reach the latter stages?
6. Japan 🆕
One of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the competition, Japan are a very sharp outfit who have demonstrated an ability to cut through teams with their passing in the final third. Beating Brazil in the round of 32 would be an upset, but it shouldn’t come as a shock if they pull it off.
5. Netherlands ⬆️ (10)
Netherlands finished the group stage undefeated with two wins and a draw, having scored 10 goals, currently the joint-most of any team alongside Germany. The Oranje swept aside Sweden and Tunisia, and they arguably should have beaten Japan, too.
4. Norway ⬆️ (5)
If there’s one thing we have learned from this World Cup so far, it’s that Norway are box office. When you combine a super attack with a somewhat questionable defence, you get must-watch football. Their wins over Iraq and Senegal both featured five goals, but the real examination comes against France on Friday.
3. Spain 🆕
As disappointing as that opening week draw with Cape Verde was, Spain were very unlucky not to put away at least one of their many chances. They came up against a staunch backline that fought for every ball, while goalkeeper Vozinha put in the performance of his life.
La Roja course corrected against Saudi Arabia last Sunday, winning 4-0 in Atlanta. They look far more dangerous with a fit Lamine Yamal in the side, and should be in contention to lift the trophy next month.
2. Argentina ⬆️
We are yet to see Argentina truly tested yet, and they won’t be by Jordan this Saturday. But they breezed past Algeria and Austria to reach the knockouts without getting out of first gear. More is yet to come from Lionel Messi and co.
1. France ↔️
It will take a lot to stop this France side, who have beaten a serious Senegal outfit and swept aside Iraq in torrential weather conditions. Midfield appears to be the weak point of this team, but the sheer volume of superstar talent in their squad is frightening.
Read More – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbers
See Also – The all-time leading World Cup goal scorers as Messi breaks record
