World Cup 2026 team power rankings: England on the rise as last eight are set
We assess the teams who played in the tournament’s last 16 before the next round of games begins
1) France (no change from previous rankings*)
A very different side of France came to the fore, proving they are not mere showboaters, there is plenty of steel, grit and determination among the ranks. It was a brutal encounter as they became targets for Paraguay, who added menace to the low block. No one in blue retreated to the shadows, instead taking the overaggression head on, using it as fuel. “To anyone who wants to go to war with us, this is what you should expect,” Rayan Cherki said. It was the biggest test they have faced this far but intimidation tactics do not work, it transpires, leaving everyone else wondering how to stop them.
2) Spain (no change)
Goals win matches but defences win championships. It is five games without conceding and La Rojahad little trouble keeping Portugal quiet, thanks to fine organisation at the back and the diligence of those carrying out instructions. Another trait of champions is players making a difference off the bench; Mikel Merino was the matchwinner, combining with two other substitutes to supply the deadly blow. “I want to express the importance of the substitutes who came in later in the game,” Luis de la Fuente said. “Not just today, but the contribution in other games has been enormous.”
3) Argentina (no change)
Lionel Messi’s dreams were in disarray, heading out with a shock defeat looming against Egypt after a wasted penalty. This was not the way it was supposed to end for the holders – and it didn’t. Champions do not go down without a fight. Three goals in 13 minutes produced a glorious turnaround engineered through a mix of determination and quality, as the captain produced a goal and assist. Lionel Scaloni and Messi were in tears at full-time because this means so much to them. “Whatever happens from here on, this team gives me the feeling that it never stops believing, even when everything is going against it,” Scaloni said.
4) England (+4)
If the Three Lions arrived in the last 16 below par, the helter-skelter victory in the Azteca Stadium was enough to instil the belief that this team has got something about it. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane grabbed the headlines but this was a team effort, from the wonder saves of Jordan Pickford to the crucial blocks by substitute Dan Burn. Surviving with 10 men for an extended period was evidence of a resilient group, made more impressive as they had to cope inside a cauldron packed with more than 80,000 people desperate for them to lose.
5) Morocco (no change)
Three of the four shots on target against Canada found the back of the net. It was a clinical performance, gloriously efficient from a side able to adapt to circumstances. The head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has made the team more progressive and attacking but a greater level of pragmatism was implemented to knock out the co-hosts. “We are no longer a surprise,” Ouahbi admitted, but considering they can mix up their styles means they do possess something of the unexpected and they will require that – and more – against France.
6) Norway (+1)
At both ends of the pitch against Brazil, Norway had stars. Ørjan Nyland was supreme in goal, repelling everything that came his way. He held his nerve to stop Bruno Guimarães’ penalty and when you have a goalkeeper in such supreme form, it means Erling Haaland only needs a couple of moments to make a difference. Never out of the game, his finishes were of the highest order and rightfully punished lazy defending. Well organised and dangerous from crossing positions, this side will fear no one because centre-backs will be scared.
7) Belgium (+6)
“Overturn this” was the gloating message aimed at the US after a sense of injustice fuelled their dominant win. Sometimes teams require extra motivation to refocus after a long season. Rudi Garcia showed what a clear-thinking leader should be like; he was ruthless in selection, leaving out the previously underwhelming Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku. Other head coaches could learn a thing or two from the Belgians, who showed it is not about individuals. Everyone stepped up a level, having bungled their way past Senegal. Charles De Ketelaere embraced the added responsibility with a double to forget a muted time at the tournament thus far.
8) Switzerland (+4)
A clear plan from Murat Yakin took the Swiss all the way to a shootout against Colombia; he must have known the ice-cold nature of the penalty takers in front of a sea of yellow. The “bitter blow” absence of the injured Johan Manzambi, as Yakin put it, changed the dynamic. The aim was to keep the ball but without the ambition to penetrate, while staying defensively focused and rigid at the back. No one could argue with its success, even if it created a tedious tie. It is evident they need Manzambi to return as quickly as possible to add thrust to the tactical acumen.
9) Mexico (-5)
Going down in a blaze of glory was always the likely ending for this side, ferocious in its commitment to the cause and playing up the vociferous support it received. “To dream and then fall like this hurts deeply, but the players should leave with their heads held high,” coach Javier Aguirre said
10) Egypt (+5)
The Pharaohs had matched and bettered Argentina, nullifying their many threats and ripped through the South Americans on the counter. In the end, the brutality of football reared its ugly head as Egypt were pushed back and concentration lapsed among weary minds as they ended on the wrong side of a thriller, something they may be able to appreciate a long time in the future
11) Brazil (-5)
They were never going all the way but having their bags packed at this stage was not part of the thinking. Not enough work was done off the ball and the main attacking plan was hoping Vinícius Júnior would pull something out of his hat. Bringing Neymar on was puzzling and he never got to grips with the match, leaving Carlo Ancelotti to ponder why he selected him
12) Portugal (-1)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears were there for all to see, a final World Cup match for Portugal. He was toothless throughout, a bit-part player in his own testimonial. Teammates rarely found him, nor did he possess the pace to get in behind but none of his compatriots lived up to expectations as they limped out against Spain
13) Colombia (-3)
Scoring twice in their final four matches in the tournament indicates the powers were waning within the ranks. The better chances fell their way against Switzerland but composure was always lacking and it was the same story from the spot. The fans brightened the World Cup but the team, ultimately, could not match them
14) USA (-5)
Donald Trump is out, his motivational tactics falling on deaf ears. The Folarin Balogun saga was inevitably a distraction and seemingly hindered the players, whose standards dropped after showing much promise. It was not the striker’s fault he was at the centre of an international incident, as the USA put in a meek display
15) Paraguay (+1)
Foul, irritate and infuriate was the gameplan, taking their negative football to new lows. It was impressive they walked away from their elimination game without a booking but that was the only real success. Never did they try to win the match against France, instead focusing on the darkest of arts, fittingly losing by giving away a penalty
16) Canada (-2)
“We were better than them,” was Jesse Marsch’s bold claim after losing listlessly to Morocco. The Canada head coach was in the minority with that opinion after his side were brushed aside 3-0
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Rankings were assembled by polling six Guardian World Cup writers and editors. They were asked to rank the teams in the last 32 in order, from first to worst. Final rankings were based on an average of the votes cast
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