The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is one-third complete, with 48 teams in the expanded field having played one match.
There are still two games left for each team in each group, but after some shocks, expected blowouts, and some good performances that didn’t translate into positive results, we have adjusted the pre-tournament rankings for all teams in the field.
Although the team that is the favorite for the championship remains largely the same, a new No. 1 team was born due to a rift in the previous top team. Other teams who seemed simply happy to be participating in the tournament also took serious steps toward advancing to the finals.
Watch every match of the 2026 World Cup on Fubo
Anything can happen in the finals. Especially when most of the third-place teams qualify for the Round of 32. But first, each team is working to get to that point.
The group phase still has many surprises for us. Take a look at the complete rankings, with ranks ranging from “glad to be here” to true title contenders.
The World Cup team is happy just to be here.
(Team movements are in parentheses)
48. Tunisia (-9)
New rule: If you play too badly in the first game and fire your coach, you’ll drop to the bottom of the power rankings. Only the handsome Hervé Renard can save Tunisia.
47. Curacao (+1)
Curaçao suffered a predictably tough loss against Germany, but the Blue Wave were guaranteed a goal from Libano Conencia, making it 1-1 after 17 minutes.
46. Jordan (+1)
The good news for Jordan is that they performed reasonably well in their first World Cup match against Austria, getting more out of their attack than expected. The bad news is that things only get tougher from here.
45. South Africa (-10)
A very disappointing opening game, South Africa could do little and lost two midfielders to red card suspensions.
44. Iraq (-1)
Aymen Hussein scored a goal, but otherwise Iraq struggled against Norway, losing 1-4.
43. Panama (-2)
Panama surrendered a point for the first time in World Cup history without conceding a goal, and then conceded a point to Ghana on June 17. A healthy Coco Carrasquilla would be most welcome.
42. Paraguay (-10)
Gustavo Alfaro’s team was supposed to be built on a muscular defense. Instead, he scored four goals in the first match of the tournament.
41. Qatar (+5)
While most of the 1-1 draw with Switzerland wasn’t all that impressive for Qatar, it was a special ending with the 2022 hosts picking up a point thanks to an own goal in stoppage time.
World Cup teams that could make it out of group play
40. Czech Republic (=)
After getting South Korea back into the game, a test against South Africa will be crucial to determine who still has a chance to advance.
39. Haiti (-2)
Sébastien Migne’s side looked as active as usual but failed to find the back of the net against Scotland. Forward Dakens Nazon, who is currently suffering from a hamstring problem, was ruled out.
38. New Zealand (+6)
Chris Wood has caused all sorts of problems for Iran, but if the tall forward can perform like that again in the group, he will have a chance to move on.
37. Cape Verde (+8)
World Cup fans started following goalkeeper Bosinha on Instagram after enjoying a stunning goalless draw with Spain. What a story!
36. Saudi Arabia (=)
Saudi Arabia once again stumbled the team from the Rio de la Plata region in the first match of the World Cup, drawing with Uruguay four years after defeating Argentina. Will they do enough to get through this?
35. Algeria (-2)
Stopping Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team has always been a difficult task. There were some great moments too. The fennec foxes are There is still room for consideration of expanding into the group.
34. Uzbekistan (+4)
Uzbekistan lost 3-1 to Colombia, but managed to prevail and score their first World Cup goal in the process.
33. Iran (+3)
Iran were unable to take all three points as they drew with New Zealand, but they showed at times why they are part of Asia’s top teams despite all the issues they are dealing with off the field.
32. Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2)
The formula for success hasn’t always been pretty for Bosnia, but it worked in their opening group game draw against Canada.
31. Democratic Republic of the Congo (=)
very good draw with portugal leopardas Yoan Ouisza responded to Portugal’s early goal and the defense was uncharacteristically stingy.
30. Scotland (=)
The current leaders of Group C succeeded in defeating Haiti despite a tough competition in which each team had just two shots on goal. It will take more effort to break into the top two.
29. Egypt (=)
Mo Salah received help from forward Omar Marmouche and goalscorer Imam Ashour in an encouraging draw against Belgium.
World Cup teams likely to make noise in the final tournament
28. Türkiye (-5)
Things cannot be this bad for Turkey in the opening game and they need to create more effective chances instead of taking hopeless and low-probability shots.
27. Ghana (-1)
A dramatic late goal against Panama saved them three points, but Ghana struggled on the ball and gave the Central American team chances to score.
26. Canada (-5)
Canada, one of the three hosts, looked nervous in their opening match, which ended in a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the first goal in World Cup history, but the ambition is much higher.
25. Sweden (+3)
The attack certainly delivered on that promise, defeating Tunisia 5-1. The next step is to play against higher level teams.
24. Australia (+3)
The Socceroos won 2-0 against Turkey, executing Toni Popovic’s game plan brilliantly, moving forward quickly on the counter-attack and defending in a disciplined manner.
23. Uruguay (-3)
Uruguay looked as lethargic as they did in their opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, and better hope it was a travel issue. Otherwise, Marcelo Bielsa’s team will soon be heading home.
22. Switzerland (-4)
Qatar’s goal in the final minute of the match was shocking, and Switzerland fell down the rankings. What seemed like a clear path to group victory has become even more confusing.
21. Austria (+3)
Austria reminded the world how true to their style they are with a 3-1 win over Jordan. It will be difficult to do the same against Argentina.
20. South Korea (+5)
The big question was whether someone would emerge to support Son Heung-min in chance creation and other attacking aspects. The answer became even clearer after Hwang In-beom’s MOTM performance in the 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
19. Croatia (-2)
Croatia played well in the first half against England, but losing 4-2 will not allay their fans’ biggest fears. The idea is that this team is too old to compete with the best.
dark horse of the world cup
18. Ecuador (-8)
We were unlucky to lose the match against Ivory Coast, and falling to 8th place is quite difficult. Still, if Enner Valencia had scored, or if any other player had scored, La Tri could have avoided the dire situation they are in now.
17. Ivory Coast (+5)
Les Elefants has made the leap from breakout star Yann Diomand, who hangs around, hangs out, hangs out.
16. Colombia (=)
The final game of the first round, Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, was a lot of fun, but it showed what I expected to see from Los Cafeteros. It was great individual talent and some obvious problem areas.
15. Japan (=)
Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, playing a relatively balanced game and showing that they can come out of their shells and fight for results when necessary.
14. Morocco (+5)
Achraf Hakimi is not only in good health but also contributed frequently in the 1-1 draw with Brazil, while Brahim Dias combined goals with Ismael Saibari. All bodes well for the North African country.
13. Belgium (-2)
In the 1-1 draw with Egypt, Rudi Garcia failed to set up his team properly, and rather than showcasing the talent of Jeremy Doku and other rising stars, the concern turned into whether the veteran players would hold up.
12. Senegal (-3)
It seems harsh to drop Senegal too far after losing to a strong team like France, especially as the Lions of Teranga held out against Les Bleus for over an hour.
11. Mexico (+1)
El Tri could have won more in the opening game, but the 2-0 win against South Africa sets the tone for a competition in which Mexico hope to continue to please their home fans.
10. Portugal (-2)
The solution for Portugal to return to the top contenders is relatively clear. It’s about coming up with a way to reduce the role of Cristiano Ronaldo, who held his team back in the 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until then, the team may continue to slump.
9. Norway (+5)
When does a dark horse become just a horse? Erling Haaland was relentless in his World Cup debut, with the defense successfully regrouping after conceding a goal in the 4-1 win over Iraq.
8. United States (+5)
Should Americans start dreaming of making it to the quarterfinals? It was within their grasp and a close 4-1 win over Paraguay showed why. Still, a better opponent will come along.
World Cup players
7. Brazil (=)
Brazil could have done better with a draw against Morocco in their opening World Cup match, but a rally to pick up points and clear areas of immediate improvement have kept them in the standings.
6. Netherlands (-1)
Ronald Koeman’s side may lack depth. We knew that about our offense, but the mistakes we made defensively in the 2-2 draw with Japan were a big concern.
5. Germany (+1)
It’s hard to get too excited about the win against Curaçao, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side got the job done in the first leg. This is more than some rivals say.
4. Spain (-3)
Spain remain among the favorites for the championship, as their group calculations did not change even with the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. Lamine Yamal also continues to return to fitness. However, his points against the diminutive debutant do not meet the standards that the former No. 1 player should hold himself to.
3. England (+1)
It was a great start to the tournament for England as Harry Kane scored twice and the team put together a great second half to beat Croatia 4-2.
2. Argentina (+1)
Lionel Messi is fit and great. The defending champions made a statement in their 3-0 win over Algeria, but even if the team maintains a clean sheet, questions remain about their defense. Austria will provide the next best test.
1. France (+1)
It took more than an hour for the goal to be scored, but France gained momentum and overcame Senegal’s strong defense by three points, lifting them to the top of the rankings with a 3-1 victory.
