Featured Video
The 2026 World Cup group stage is over, with the tournament so far providing some sensational goals, dramatic match conclusions, controversial red cards and incredibly irritating hydration breaks.
The pool of 48 teams has been whittled down to 32, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stages, along with eight of the best third-place teams
From here, the games become more intense, with more on the line and significantly less margin for error.
But after an eventful 72 games across 12 groups, how does the World Cup pecking order look?
Ahead, we’ve updated the power rankings following the opening phase, shuffling teams around based on results, performances, quality of opponents and prospects in their upcoming fixtures
1 of 9
FIFA Ranking:63
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 47
Iraq’s World Cup campaign was complicated even before a ball was kicked, and those difficulties made qualifying from Group I even less likely.
In the end, it was three defeats from three, with 12 goals conceded and one goal scored.
47. Tunisia
FIFA Ranking: 58
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 32
A tough Group F proved impossible to overcome for Tunisia, who crashed to a trio of losses and scored just twice
They shipped at least three goals in each matchup against Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands, making a mockery of a qualifying campaign in which they conceded none.
46. Uzbekistan
FIFA Ranking:57
Previous Power Ranking Spot:35
In their first-ever World Cup tournament, Uzbekistan were unable to provide a shock result
The White Wolves proved competitive, pulling level with Colombia for a short time and taking the lead against DR Congo. However, their Group K campaign ended with zero points and an early exit.
45. Haiti
FIFA Ranking: 88
Previous Power Ranking Spot:48
Haiti certainly did not disgrace themselves on the world stage, giving Scotland a tough time in their Group C opener and putting the fear into Morocco in what was ultimately the nation’s final outing.
Wilson Isidor’s stunning long-range strike against the Atlas Lions will live long in the memory, at least giving the fans something to cheer about despite recording no points.
44. Jordan
FIFA Ranking:72
Previous Power Ranking Spot:44
Jordan at least laid a glove on each of its Group J opponents, scoring once each against Austria, Algeria and Argentina.
Al Nashama just couldn’t get much more from their first-ever World Cup run, languishing at the bottom of their pool and sent packing after three games
43. Panama
FIFA Ranking:42
Previous Power Ranking Spot:29
Panama was plucky and certainly did not disgrace itself in a brutal Group L. However, the table reads three losses in three games, zero points and no goals scored, so it results in a severe power-ranking drop
In the final game against England, Los Canaleros played some good football and kept the Three Lions at bay for an hour, making them sweat in pursuit of top spot. They tested Jordan Pickford on a couple of occasions and even had the ball in the net, although it was chalked off for offside. A fair effort, but not enough to make the knockouts for the very first time.
42. Qatar
FIFA Ranking:60
Previous Power Ranking Spot:45
A last-minute equalizer against Group B favorites Switzerland gave Qatar its first goal and first point at a World Cup tournament
While the Maroons were able to add another to the goal tally against Bosnia and Herzegovina, no more points were forthcoming. The campaign was an improvement on their 2022 effort, but still not enough to yield a win.
41. Curaçao
FIFA Ranking:82
Previous Power Ranking Spot:46
Things looked dire for Curaçao after a brutal 7-1 demolition in its Group E opener against Germany. But credit to the Caribbean nation for picking itself up and grabbing a creditable 0-0 draw against Ecuador in the next run out.
While it was back to losing ways against Côte d’Ivoire, a point in Curaçao’s first World Cup appearance was a moment of sporting history.
40. New Zealand
FIFA Ranking:86
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 40
New Zealand is still waiting for a win in World Cup competition, failing to grab three points for the third time of asking.
The All Whites kept things alive until the final matchday, but a 5-1 crushing at the hands of Belgium marked the conclusion of their tournament. The emergence of Elijah Just, who scored all three of the nation’s goals, was a cause for celebration, though.
39. Czechia
FIFA Ranking:48
Previous Power Ranking Spot:26
Czechia kept things tight up until the final Group A matchday, when Mexico romped to a 3-0 victory.
One draw against South Africa was simply not good enough for a solid team that could have easily progressed as a third-place qualifier. Instead, it propped up the three other nations in its pool.
38. Uruguay
FIFA Ranking:19
Previous Power Ranking Spot:20
It was a toss-up about whether Uruguay’s World Cup stint would be a success or a disaster. Unfortunately for La Celeste, it proved to be the latter
Draws against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde left the South Americans with a mountain to climb to achieve qualification, with points needed against one of the tournament’s favorites, Spain. A 1-0 defeat sent them packing.
Marcelo Bielsa has tried to accept the blame for a meek exit, but the players must shoulder plenty of responsibility for poor discipline and schoolboy errors.
37. Saudi Arabia
FIFA Ranking:59
Previous Power Ranking Spot:42
Saudi Arabia couldn’t take advantage of a weak Group H to reach the knockouts for the first time since 1994 (coincidentally, in the United States)
In a crucial final game against Cabo Verde, the Blue Sharks completely outplayed the Green Falcons, and while the African side couldn’t seal a win, a 0-0 draw was enough for them to grab second place.
Saudi Arabia will see this as a serious missed opportunity.
36. Iran
FIFA Ranking:21
Previous Power Ranking Spot:30
Three draws from three only gave Iran three points and zero goal difference, preventing it from progressing further
But you can’t argue with Team Melli’s spirit, battling through a tournament in a country in which they’ve been made to feel quite unwelcome.
If the circumstances were different, they might have squeezed into the knockout rounds.
35. Scotland
FIFA Ranking:41
Previous Power Ranking Spot:28
While the Scotland fans proved to be a hit during their time in Boston, the national team couldn’t replicate the magic on the pitch
A 1-0 win against Haiti set the Tartan Army up well, but a failure to grab a point against Morocco or Brazil ultimately doomed their hopes of extending the party.
It was always going to be a tough group for Scotland to navigate, but it will look back on a 1-0 defeat to the Atlas Lions with frustration. The team had more than 88 minutes to grab an equalizer that could have punched a ticket to the knockouts, but it didn’t even manage a shot on target.
34. Korea Republic
FIFA Ranking:31
Previous Power Ranking Spot:21
It was a hugely disappointing tournament from Korea Republic, finishing third in Group A with just one win from three and getting knocked out with a whimper.
An opening win at Czechia seemed to set the table for a comfortable group stage. However, South Africa’s stunning win on the final matchday left the Taegeuk Warriors reliant on other results to progress.
It’s a sad end to the World Cup career of Heung-min Son, and it’s difficult to tell who will take up the mantle as the national team’s talisman.
33. Turkiye
FIFA Ranking:27
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 18
What happened to Turkiye? Some pundits’ pick for the tournament dark horse fell at the first hurdle.
A 3-2 win against the United States on the final matchday of Group D provided a little pride, but the Stars and Stripes rested key players with qualification already secured. In the end, it did little to erase poor defeats to Australia and a 10-man Paraguay side.
It’s not the way Hakan Çalhanoğlu would have wanted to finish his first and likely only World Cup tournament for his nation
2 of 9
32. Cabo Verde
FIFA Ranking:64
Previous Power Ranking Spot:39
What a story for Cabo Verde. It has become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds, doing so in its first-ever World Cup appearance.
Much of the credit must go to Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who made a string of remarkable saves in the matchup with Spain to keep a clean sheet and help the Blue Sharks to pick up a crucial point.
The prize for three hard-fought draws and a second-place finish is a meeting with reigning World Cup champions Argentina in the round of 32, and while the trip might not go much farther, it has been a tournament to remember
31. Algeria
FIFA Ranking:29
Previous Power Ranking Spot:34
A win and a draw were enough to get Algeria into the knockout rounds, and its final match of the group stage was a thriller
It looked like the Fennec Foxes were about to snag a dramatic second place, with Riyad Mahrez scoring his second and taking the score against Austria to 3-2 with the clock winding down. However, Saša Kalajdžić had other ideas, notching a 96th-minute equalizer and pushing Algeria down to third.
Switzerland is up next in the round of 32, and Algeria might fancy its chances of causing an upset.
30. DR Congo
FIFA Ranking:41
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 41
DR Congo’s opening Group K draw with Portugal was fantastic at the time, but little did the nation know how important that point would eventually prove to be
Coupled with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in the final match of the pool, four points were enough to land the Leopards on top of the third-place finisher’s table, resulting in a knockout-round meeting with England.
They’ve frustrated top international teams already in the tournament, and the Three Lions must not take them lightly.
29. South Africa
FIFA Ranking:54
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 43
Well, well, well. After South Africa’s disastrous opener against Mexico, which brought a 2-0 defeat and two red cards, Group A provided a happy ending for Bafana Bafana
A 1-0 upset win over Korea Republic gave South Africa an unlikely ticket to the World Cup knockouts for the first time in national team history, with Thapelo Maseko’s left-footed strike proving the difference.
Even better, a round-of-32 matchup with Canada gives South Africa a real chance of reaching the round of 16.
28. Bosnia and Herzegovina
FIFA Ranking:61
Previous Power Ranking Spot:33
Bosnia and Herzegovina apparently doesn’t know when to quit. After scraping into the tournament at the expense of Italy, the Dragons took it to the final matchday of Group B to secure a first win and a crucial three points. That saw them qualify as one of the best third-place teams
That 3-1 over Qatar was inspired by Kerim Alajbegovic, who opened the scoring and became the eighth-youngest goal-getter in World Cup history
Similar magic will be needed in the round of 32 against the United States, but you simply can’t discount Bosnia at this point. With a 1-1 draw already secured against another tournament host, Canada, the Dragons will at least fancy taking things to extra time and penalties, which was a favored route to success in the qualifying process.
27. Paraguay
FIFA Ranking:37
Previous Power Ranking Spot:31
After succumbing to a 4-1 defeat to the United States in the opening Group D fixture, Paraguay proved its resilience against Turkey
Turkey, a team tipped for the knockout stages, could not make the most of a man advantage following Miguel Almiron’s red card and fell to a 1-0 defeat in Matchday 2.
Then, Paraguay’s 0-0 draw with Australia was enough to get them to the knockouts as a third-placed team.
La Albirroja will need to show the same mettle against Germany, but it’s tough to see them continuing their World Cup adventure.
26. Ghana
FIFA Ranking:65
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 38
Ghana came agonizingly close to a second-place finish in Group L, but it will be more than content with third in a pool containing two of the world’s top 15 teams
A 0-0 draw with England proves the Black Stars can shut things down if necessary, which will come in handy against a potent Colombia side. That could provide an unlikely path to the round of 16, potentially leading to a meeting with Switzerland or Algeria
25. Australia
FIFA Ranking:28
Previous Power Ranking Spot:37
After a surprising trip to the knockouts in 2022, Australia has repeated the trick, finishing second in Group D with four points
A win against Turkiye in the opening game should have been a sign of things to come for the Socceroos, but defeat to the United States and a flat draw against Paraguay didn’t build on that result.
Egypt will prove frustrating opposition in the round of 32, and a first knockout-round win in the nation’s history doesn’t look likely.
24. Sweden
FIFA Ranking:36
Previous Power Ranking Spot:36
Credit to Sweden, who beat the odds to make the tournament in the first place and ended up being among the most entertaining teams in North America—for better or worse.
A 5-1 opening-game victory over Tunisia was swiftly followed by that scoreline being reversed against the Netherlands.
Then, a 1-1 draw with an excellent Japan side was enough to push them to four points and qualification to the knockouts.
However, with France on the docket, Sweden’s luck might have just run out.
23. Ecuador
FIFA Ranking:24
Previous Power Ranking Spot:23
Despite sailing through CONMEBOL qualifying, Ecuador made it difficult for themselves in Group E, finishing third and needing some help to make the knockouts
For a team that has nine draws in its last 15 games, perhaps the 0-0 stalemate with Curaçao wasn’t so surprising, but it certainly put its tournament in jeopardy
Thankfully, La Tricolor proved their quality against Germany, picking up a 2-1 victory when nothing but a win would do.
That means a matchup with Mexico is up next. It’s an opportunity to reach the final 16 for the first time since 2006, but it just depends on what version of Ecuador shows up.
22. Austria
FIFA Ranking:22
Previous Power Ranking Spot:22
Austria was on the brink of elimination against Algeria, with the Fennec Foxes taking the lead in the 93rd minute.
Saša Kalajdžić saved the day, though, grabbing a 96th-minute equalizer to make it 3-3 and seal second place in Group J
The 28-year-old’s heroics mean the side will head to Los Angeles to take on Spain. The endorphin high of that late goal might not last long when things get started against the European champions.
21. Senegal
FIFA Ranking:18
Previous Power Ranking Spot:14
Senegal left it late to get its first win of the tournament, but it was secured in style.
A 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq was exactly what the Lions of Teranga needed, not just in terms of points on the board but for confidence, too.
Group I was a difficult one, featuring the stars of France and the firepower of Norway. While they couldn’t get a result out of either, getting to the next phase of the competition is all that matters. The strength of those opponents also provides some benefit of the doubt to stop a greater slide in the power ranking.
3 of 9
20. Egypt
FIFA Ranking:26
Previous Power Ranking Spot:27
In what is likely to be Mohamed Salah’s final World Cup, Egypt really had to make the most of a kind group to reach the knockouts for the first time since 1934.
A win and two draws were enough to make that happen, and there was even a chance of finishing in top spot. In the end, second place probably worked out in the Pharaohs’ favor. Australia is next on the slate, offering a good chance to stick around in North America for just a little longer.
Encouragingly, Salah scored just one of Egypt’s five group-stage goals, proving the team isn’t totally reliant on the Liverpool legend to get through games.
19. Canada
FIFA Ranking:32
Previous Power Ranking Spot:25
Canada made the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history, which is basically mission accomplished for Jesse Marsch’s side. Anything beyond this will be a bonus for the co-hosts.
It was a mixed group stage for the Maple Leafs, with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina followed by a thrilling 6-0 victory over Qatar. A 2-1 defeat to Switzerland quickly brought them back down to Earth, though, and showed how far they still have to come against higher-ranked teams.
Still, a matchup with South Africa gives them a huge opportunity to reach the round of 16, which might have been beyond the wildest dreams of even the proudest Canadians.
18. Côte d’Ivoire
FIFA Ranking:30
Previous Power Ranking Spot:19
Côte d’Ivoire was dealt a tough hand with Germany and Ecuador in Group E, but two victories against La Tricolor and Curaçao proved plenty to make the World Cup knockouts for the very first time.
While those results look good on paper, the team needed a last-minute Amad Diallo strike to get past Ecuador, suggesting the margins were finer than they might seem on first glance
There is certainly quality in the team, but it has not fully come together just yet. A meeting with Norway is an interesting fixture that could really go either way, and it might just hinge on whether the Elephants can be a little more convincing in the final third.
17. Belgium
FIFA Ranking:10
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 12
It’s better late than never for Belgium. The Red Devils labored through their first two Group G games, picking up a 1-1 draw against Egypt and dragging out a 0-0 stalemate against Iran while down to 10 men.
However, the pieces fell into place when it mattered, with a 5-1 over New Zealand in the final matchday, putting them atop their pool and into the final 32.
This is still a good team on paper, and a comprehensive victory over the All Whites when it mattered proved they can handle pressure situations.
A decent knockout-round matchup against Senegalgives the team another chance to jell before the opponents get tougher.
16. Switzerland
FIFA Ranking:16
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 17
Switzerland comfortably topped Group B, but there’s still a faint question mark hanging over the team
The 1-1 draw with Qatar might have been the result of a last-minute sucker punch, but it was still a shocking result against an opponent ranked 44 places below them in FIFA’s world rankings
It was the start of the tournament, and the team has since settled into a better rhythm with a couple of subsequent victories, so maybe that was just a freak result. The emergence of Johan Manzambi also offers scope for improved performances
A meeting with Algeria in the round of 32 also means Switzerland dodged some of the bigger names, but as the result against the Maroons showed, there is absolutely no room for complacency, especially in a “win or go home” situation.
15. Norway
FIFA Ranking:23
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 15
Norway is in the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1998, and it did so with a game to spare.
Because of that, it was able to rest key players, including Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Antonio Nusa, for the final group game against France
While that’s great for squad fitness and for Norway’s chances of going deeper, it does mean we were deprived of the chance to see how this team truly stacks up against the international elite
Côte d’Ivoire won’t be an easy opponent to topple, but the rest afforded to those top stars could make all the difference as the nation eyes Japan or Brazil in the round of 16.
14. Japan
FIFA Ranking:17
Previous Power Ranking Spot:16
Japan, everyone’s favorite dark horse, was solid if not spectacular in Group F, grabbing draws against Sweden and the Netherlands and crushing a poor Tunisia team 4-0
With that, the Samurai Blue are into the knockouts for a second consecutive World Cup, with Brazil lying in wait
Although they weren’t wholly convincing in the pool stage, the Seleçao Canarinho will be wary of a team that can turn on the style at a moment’s notice. Daizen Maeda, Daichi Kamada and Ayase Ueda have all shown what they can do in North America, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they at least help Japan to push Brazil to extra time.
13. United States
FIFA Ranking:15
Previous Power Ranking Spot:24
The United States received some undue criticism for a 3-2 defeat to an out-of-sorts Turkiye, with that result coming while the second-string took the field
The fact was that the Stars and Stripes had already qualified for the knockout stages and had every right to rest the players who made that possible ahead of a bump in competition.
That means fresh legs for a winnable fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could keep the American dream of World Cup glory alive for at least a little while longer
So far, so good for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, who get a notable power ranking boost following some convincing results.
12. Croatia
FIFA Ranking:13
Previous Power Ranking Spot:10
Croatia was given a scare in Group L, with an opening defeat against England making qualification less than certain.
However, back-to-back wins against Panama and Ghana ensured a second-place finish, though they would have faced Portugal or Colombia either way.
Led by veteran Luka Modrić, the Vatreni have a habit of picking up results when it really matters, making them a dangerous opponent for anyone.
The meeting with Portugal is possibly the most difficult to call in the whole of the round of 32, and a likely matchup with Spain is hardly a prize for getting through that challenge
11. Morocco
FIFA Ranking:6
Previous Power Ranking Spot:7
A somewhat harsh fall for Morocco, which navigated a difficult Group C and came out in second, level on points with Brazil
That finish means they have a tricky knockout-round opponent, with the Netherlands waiting to face the Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Ismael Saibari is on a fine run of form, scoring in every group stage matchup and sitting joint-sixth on the tournament’s goalscoring chart.
Two goals conceded to Haiti will be cause for concern, but when one of them was a bolt from the blue from Wilson Isidor, that doesn’t look quite as much of an indictment on the back line
4 of 9
10. Portugal
FIFA Ranking:8
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 6
After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Congo DR in the first game of Group K, there were very vocal fears that this era of Portuguese superstars would once again disappoint on the World Cup stage
A notable figure in the crosshairs was Cristiano Ronaldo, who put in a petulant, heavy-legged performance against the African nation
But the 41-year-old rolled back the years against Uzbekistan, scoring twice to prove that he’s not to be written off just yet
A 0-0 draw with Colombia was not a disaster, but it did mean a second-place finish in the pool and a drop in the power rankings.
A tricky match with Croatia follows on July 2, and if the Seleçao can conquer the Vatreni, a meeting against Iberian neighbors Spain is the likely sequel in the round of 16. It’s a tough gauntlet to run, especially having not been wholly convincing at the tournament so far.
9. Colombia
FIFA Ranking:11
Previous Power Ranking Spot:13
Colombia can be frustratingly inconsistent, but two wins against DR Congo and Uzbekistan and a draw against a formidable Portugal side in the group stage show that Los Cafeteros are piping hot at the moment
After sealing the top spot in Group K, Colombia will prepare to take on Ghana. The Black Stars finished third in Group L and showed some serious defensive chops, so Luis Díaz will have to use every trick in his book to get through a packed back line.
From there, the South American side’s path to the tournament’s climax could be interrupted by Argentina in the quarterfinals, potentially offering a tantalizing matchup between CONMEBOL teams.
8. The Netherlands
FIFA Ranking:7
Previous Power Ranking Spot:8
After an initial stutter against Japan, the Netherlands found its footing in the following two games, with a 5-1 win against Sweden and a 3-1 victory over Tunisia
With that, the Oranje join France and Germany as the top scorers at the tournament so far, continuing an appetite for goals evident in the run-up to the competition.
Despite sitting comfortably at the top of Group F, Ronald Koeman’s side were handed a horrible first knockout matchup against Morocco. However, things could still work out in their favor, with either Canada or South Africa possible opponents in the round of 16.
The Atlas Lions will be tough to handle, but with the goals flowing, confidence will be high, and the quarterfinals should be the minimum target at this point.
7. Brazil
FIFA Ranking:5
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 11
Concerns about Brazil’s lack of cohesion seemed to bear fruit quickly, with Morocco opening the scoring against the Seleçao Canarinho after 21 minutes in the first Group C game
However, Vinicius Junior showed his class to pull one back soon after, and after playing out a more-than-fair stalemate, Carlo Ancelotti’s side quickly improved in the following matches
Breezy 3-0 victories against Haiti and Scotland came next, with Vinicius Junior pushing his goal tally to four (joint-second for the tournament). One of the biggest positives about Don Carlo’s appointment was his understanding of the Real Madrid star, and that seems to be paying off.
With Matheus Cunha hitting his stride and even Neymar getting some minutes against Scotland, spirits are high in the Brazil camp, and that should worry the opponents on its side of the bracket.
6. Mexico
FIFA Ranking:9
Previous Power Ranking Spot:9
It’s three wins from three for Mexico, with El Tri the pick of the co-hosts so far
In addition to the nine points, Mexico is yet to concede in the competition, and that solid rearguard will be a notable asset when knockout football begins. Against an Ecuador side that also boasts a fierce back line in the round of 32, that could mean a tense match that goes to penalties
Still, Mexico will be full of confidence and have the backing of a home crowd, which should put fear into any side they meet in the competition
El Tri haven’t reached a World Cup quarterfinal since 1986, and there’s every chance they’ll take one step closer to that round when they face the South Americans on June 30
5 of 9
FIFA Ranking:12
Previous Power Ranking Spot:4
It was all going so well for Germany until the final group game, when Ecuador claimed a surprise 2-1 victory, putting a dent in the collective confidence.
Die Nationalelf fielded a strong side in that game, which makes the scoreline all the more concerning as they head into a meeting against Paraguay. If you put any stock in omens, though, the only time these two have met competitively was in the first knockout-round game of the 2002 World Cup, and Germany came away with a 1-0 win.
That year, Germany lost in the final to Brazil, and there is every chance the pair could face off again in the 2026 tournament’s climactic game.
Germany will be keen to bounce back quickly, and Paraguay could be the unfortunate recipients of the side’s wrath.
6 of 9
FIFA Ranking:3
Previous Power Ranking Spot:2
Spain hasn’t really gotten going in North America. Sure, it topped Group H and put four past Saudi Arabia with no reply, but we all would have expected more than a 0-0 draw with Cabo Verde and a 1-0 victory over a Uruguay side in disarray.
The European champions were among the favorites heading into the tournament, but La Furia Roja have done little to back that status up so far.
It’s not disastrous yet, but they will have to be more convincing against Austriain the round of 32 to remind everyone of their credentials
7 of 9
FIFA Ranking:4
Previous Power Ranking Spot:5
After conceding zero goals in qualifying, England will be furious that it was breached twice in the opening Group L game against Croatia
However, they came away with a 4-2 win over the Vatreni, the toughest opponent in the pool
A 0-0 draw against Ghana was frustrating, but the Black Stars had 11 men behind the ball for most of the game, making it difficult for the Three Lions to find inroads. Against more ambitious opponents in the knockout rounds, that shouldn’t be such a problem
While they were kept quiet for an hour against Panama, the energy and sharpness of the XI was evident, marking a vast improvement on the plodding, ponderous nature of the Ghana game.
In the end, a 2-0 win was just reward, and it sets England up nicely for a round-of-32 meeting with DR Congo
8 of 9
More so than usual, it’s the Lionel Messi show for Argentina
The 39-year-old has been immense, bagging six goals to top the scoring charts at the tournament and becoming the first player to ever score in seven consecutive World Cup games.
He’s inspired La Albiceleste to three wins from three, with eight goals scored and just one conceded.
The reigning World Cup champions appear in fine form and have a fantastic chance to defend their title—especially if Messi can continue to prove that age is just a number
9 of 9
Three wins from three, 10 goals scored, two players in joint-second place for tournament top scorer. It couldn’t get much better for France
Les Bleus have barely been troubled at the tournament so far, and even when it looked like the players weren’t quite clicking on the pitch, they eventually found a way to get on the same page to secure crucial points.
Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé are those players vying for the Golden Boot, with four goals apiece. The latter has also had a massive impact in the buildup play and provided two assists
France has set the standard in the group stage, and a matchup against Sweden in the round of 32 should be a relative breeze before a potential meeting with Germany.
