Lionel Messi of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, United States.

...

Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

We've done it.

After 72 games across three different countries and a dozen stadiums, the group stage for the World Cup is over.

We say goodbye to 16 teams as they exit the tournament, leaving us with the biggest knockout stage in history with 32 nations all vying for the same trophy next month in New Jersey.

Read More on Sports

But as we enter the do-or-die portion of the World Cup, how likely are they to go all the way?

Every night of the World Cup I've been doing an evolving power ranking of how the teams looked primarily on the field during the group stage.

These rankings, though, are based off what I've seen and the ceiling that I think teams have heading into the knockouts. Have they shown they can play at their best? Are any of their star players injured or looking out of form? Can I imagine them making it through their quadrant into the semifinals and possibly the championship game?

That is how I came up with this ranking of the final 32 nations in the tournament.

At the top, it should be no surprise: France and Argentina, on opposite sides of the bracket, will be favored to rematch in the World Cup Final with how it stands now.

While the likes of the Netherlands, England, and especially Spain will have something to say about that, those two teams have shown the highest form of play so far this tournament and enter the single-elimination portion of the competition with three victories to their name.

Without further ado, here are my rankings.

More news: USA’s World Cup Group Stage Report Card: More Action Than a Hollywood Film

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Ousmane Dembele of France celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

...

More news: England’s World Cup Group Stage Report Card: A Title Contender, But…

The World Cup Final 32 Rankings

  1. France
  2. Argentina
  3. Netherlands
  4. Spain
  5. England
  6. Brazil
  7. Colombia
  8. Morocco
  9. Norway
  10. Germany
  11. Portugal
  12. Belgium
  13. United States of America
  14. Senegal
  15. Ivory Coast
  16. Mexico
  17. Japan
  18. Ecuador
  19. Croatia
  20. Switzerland
  21. Sweden
  22. DR Congo
  23. Canada
  24. Australia
  25. Ghana
  26. Cape Verde
  27. Austria
  28. Algeria
  29. Egypt
  30. Paraguay
  31. Bosnia-Herzegovina
  32. South Africa

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines