Power Ranking Every Team at the 2026 Men's World Cup
The 48 countries that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup know their path to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Those national teams have been placed into 12 groups of four, and FIFA's bracket has laid out the possible opponents they could face should they qualify from their opening pools.
That makes the tournament's possibilities a lot clearer, with the task of picking a likely victor a little easier.
After the final six participating nations—Iraq, Congo DR, Sweden, Turkiye, Czechia and Bosnia and Herzegovina —were confirmed in the March international break, we've updated the B/R power rankings for all the teams heading to the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the summer of 2026.
Qualifying form, FIFA ranking, potential for improvement over the next few months, star players and prospective opponents have all been considered to draw up these conclusions.
Think you can do better? Drop your rankings in the comments.
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48. Haiti
FIFA Rank: 83
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 42
World Cup Group: C
Haiti secured its spot in the World Cup after topping Concacaf's third-round qualification Group C, finishing ahead of Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
That confirmed Les Granadiers' first appearance at a World Cup since 1974. The resilience of the tiny Caribbean island nation was perhaps the hallmark of its success, which was all the more impressive since every home match they played was at a neutral venue.
Haiti has sprung surprises already, but in a group featuring Brazil, Morocco and Scotland, a trip to the knockouts looks like a step too far. Likely issues in getting fans into games in the United States will make the task even trickier.
47. Curaçao
FIFA Rank: 82
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 41
World Cup Group: E
The expanded field for this year's World Cup, increasing to 48 teams from the usual 32, means we will see many first-timers, and Curaçao is among the confirmed newbies.
Curaçao went unbeaten in Concacaf qualifying to secure its spot in North America.
With that, it has become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament, with the tiny island boasting a population of around 156,000 people.
The Blue Wave was guided to the World Cup by experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, but the 78-year-old stepped down in February for personal reasons. Countryman Fred Rutten, a former PSV, Anderlecht and Feyenoord manager, has taken the reins.
Advocaat's success in bringing Curaçao to the world stage was laudable, but now that the much-loved manager is out of the setup, things could go much worse than previously expected for Curaçao.
Successive defeats in March to China and Australia aren't a good omen.
46. Iraq
FIFA Rank: 57
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New Entry
World Cup Group: I
With a 2-1 victory over Bolivia, Iraq came through the World Cup Qualifying Tournament to secure a place in the main competition for the first time in 40 years.
That achievement was built on grit and resilience. The national team had to battle through AFC qualifying before claiming the final available spot in the competition, all with the backdrop of war in the Middle East scuppering preparations.
The prize is a place in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway. Despite those valiant efforts so far, that doesn't look like a collection of foes that can be bettered.
45. Congo DR
FIFA Rank: 46
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New Entry
World Cup Group: K
Congo DR demonstrated supreme determination against Jamaica to keep going and bundle home a 100th-minute, extra-time winner via Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe to seal the nation's first World Cup spot in 52 years, when the country was then known as Zaire.
It was a huge moment for the Leopards, who will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.
Points will be up for grabs against the latter, but it's difficult to see them taking anything from the European or the South American giants.
44. South Africa
FIFA Rank: 60
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 40
World Cup Group: C
South Africa has not returned to the World Cup since hosting it in 2010.
It scraped through CAF qualifying Group C ahead of Nigeria and Benin to end that tournament drought, even after a dramatic points deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
They underachieved at the Africa Cup of Nations, finishing second in Group B to Egypt and exiting in the first knockout round after a defeat to Cameroon.
Back-to-back March friendlies against Panama resulted in a draw and a defeat, which doesn't suggest they can take much from Mexico, Korea Republic and Czechia.
43. Cabo Verde
FIFA Rank: 69
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 39
World Cup Group: H
Cabo Verde pulled off a stunning upset in CAF Group D, pipping Cameroon to top spot and reaching the nation's first-ever World Cup.
The African island nation won seven of 10 qualifying games and lost just once—against the Indomitable Lions.
The collective spirit was essential to qualifying success, but so was a stingy defense, with seven clean sheets recorded in Group D action.
Up against the striking brilliance of Spain in Group H, that rearguard won't be as sturdy. With games against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia also on deck, they will surely see a quick exit.
42. Qatar
FIFA Rank: 55
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 38
World Cup Group: B
At the start of AFC's qualification process, it looked like Qatar would progress to the World Cup with little trouble.
However, five wins out of six in Round 2 were followed by a collapse in Round 3, with the Maroons squeezing into Round 4 despite finishing fourth in Group A.
A win and a draw at that point was enough to return to the World Cup after hosting last time around. On home soil in 2022, Qatar lost all three and scored just once.
A group featuring Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina is a tough draw, so things won't get much better this time around.
With friendly matches canceled after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, chances to tune up before the tournament have been restricted, too.
FIFA Rank: 51
41. Saudi Arabia
FIFA Rank: 61
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 37
World Cup Group: H
Saudi Arabia can count itself lucky to have made its seventh World Cup after a dreadful start to qualification.
The return of Hervé Renard was the turning point, dragging the Green Falcons through Group C in Round 3, and edging top spot in Group B of Round 4, to seal a berth in the tournament.
With Renard in charge, there could be another surprise on the global stage. The Frenchman helped secure Saudi Arabia a memorable victory against eventual tournament winners Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
However, that was as good as it got in Qatar. The Group H matchup against Cabo Verde could deliver a win, but it will be much harder to grab vital points against Spain and Uruguay.
40. Jordan
FIFA Rank: 63
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 36
World Cup Group: J
Another nation set to make its World Cup debut is Jordan, having secured its spot in June.
In the AFC qualification, Al Nashama finished second to South Korea in Group B of Round 3, a point ahead of Iraq, to book their place in the tournament proper.
However, since sealing its tournament berth, Jordan has won only once in nine games.
While its appearance in North America will mark an incredible achievement, it will ultimately be a short stay, with Argentina, Austria, and Algeria sure to give them the runaround.
However, it leads fellow AFC qualifiers Saudi Arabia and Qatar in this power ranking thanks to its superior qualifying run.
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39. Uzbekistan
FIFA Rank: 50
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 35
World Cup Group: K
Another World Cup newcomer is Uzbekistan, which made the field of 48 through the AFC.
A second-placed finish in Group A of Round 3 was enough to stamp its ticket ahead of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
While the squad will make history as the first representatives of Central Asia to reach the global showpiece, there is little hope of picking up points in North America, especially against Portugal and Colombia.
When your best player is a defender, Manchester City center-back Abdukodir Khusanov, that doesn't provide much hope of securing an upset.
38. Algeria
FIFA Rank: 28
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 34
World Cup Group: J
In 2014, Algeria was a dark-horse team at the World Cup in Brazil, with a handful of players who were performing brilliantly in Europe, including Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi, Islam Slimani, Sofiane Feghouli, Nabil Bentaleb and Faouzi Ghoulam.
Unfortunately, the nation hasn't had similar success in its talent factory since. A handful of those players are still being relied upon heading into 2026.
The Desert Foxes still managed to top their CAF qualifying group, winning eight of 10 to progress comfortably.
However, the glory years of Algerian football seem to be coming to an end. While it will be great for players like Mahrez, Slimani, Brahimi and Bentaleb to have one last shot at a World Cup, another trip to the knockouts won't be on the cards.
37. Ghana
FIFA Rank: 74
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 32
World Cup Group: L
Ghana has a notable World Cup pedigree, making the quarterfinals in 2010 and only exiting at that stage because of some serious gamesmanship from none other than Uruguay's Luis Suarez.
However, that was nearly 16 years ago, and the squad is much different since that incredible run.
Still, they now have a true star in Antoine Semenyo, who earned a big-money move to Manchester City after some thrilling Premier League performances with Bournemouth.
The 26-year-old can't be able to bring success to the Black Stars on his own, but he will produce a couple of highlight-reel moments. With a match against England in Group L, he could also use his knowledge of some familiar foes to trigger an upset.
The Black Stars have lost to World Cup-caliber opposition in their last four outings, conceding 10 and scoring two, which doesn't bode well for the tournament.
36. Australia
FIFA Rank: 27
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 33
World Cup Group: D
Australia hasn't missed a World Cup since 2006, and it will be hoping to build on its surprising run to the round of 16 in Qatar.
There's a mixture of emerging talents and established veterans peppered through the squad, but there's little in the way of true quality.
A run of three straight defeats against Colombia, Venezuela and the United States between October and November will also raise questions about the Socceroos' potential going into the summer, despite victories against Cameroon and Curaçao in March.
The experience of Mathew Ryan will help, but there's not a lot he can do to influence things while stuck between the sticks.
35. Sweden
FIFA Rank: 38
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New entry
World Cup Group: F
Sweden picked up just two points in European qualifying Group B. However, after winning their Nations League Group C1, they were granted one last chance to pick up a World Cup ticket. The Blågult grabbed that opportunity with both hands.
An 88th-minute Viktor Gyökeres strike was enough to seal a 3-2 win over Poland and passage to North America, marking the nation's first World Cup appearance since 2018.
The Scandinavians will be an interesting proposition in a tough Group F, with the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia lying in wait.
If Alexander Isak gets back to full fitness in time, a frontline featuring him and Gyökeres could be the recipe for at least one upset.
The arrival of Graham Potter in the dugout has obviously changed the national team's fortunes, but it would be a surprise if they rode their luck some more to extend their tournament stay beyond the round of 32.
34. New Zealand
FIFA Rank: 85
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 31
World Cup Group: G
New Zealand has made two World Cups in its history, but it has never won a game.
Among the players who featured at that last effort in 2010 was Chris Wood, who was then an 18-year-old striker on the books of West Bromwich Albion.
Assuming he can recover from an injury that has kept him out for much of Nottingham Forest's season, he'll be back in 2026 in what is surely his last major tournament for the All Whites. He'll be a major threat in the six-yard box for Belgium, Egypt and Iran to contend with in Group G.
The supporting cast is perhaps the problem, but with football tactics increasingly favoring balls lumped into the box and bypassing the midfield, perhaps the stars have aligned for New Zealand to make the most of Wood's significant aerial presence and secure a first World Cup victory.
33. Scotland
FIFA Rank: 43
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 30
World Cup Group: C
Scotland has not been to the World Cup since 1998, as the national team left it late to secure a spot for 2026.
In a crucial qualifying game against Denmark, the Tartan Army needed a win to confirm their place in the North American showpiece. They twice had the lead, but were twice pegged back.
However, a dramatic, 93rd-minute strike from Kieran Tierney all but confirmed Scotland's qualification, before a 98th-minute strike from the halfway line by Kenny McLean put things beyond doubt.
Scotland's recent success has been down to organization, grit and a never-say-die attitude. For them to have one of Europe's most in-form players in Scott McTominay hasn't hurt, either.
In Group C, Scotland will make life extremely difficult for Morocco and Brazil but will ultimately taste defeat. A win against Haiti might be forthcoming, which could be enough to get the country to its first World Cup knockout phase in history as one of the best third-place finishers.
32. Paraguay
FIFA Rank: 40
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 27
World Cup Group: D
For many, Paraguay will always hold a special place in football fans' hearts because of Jose Luis Chilavert, the legendary free-kick-taking and penalty-scoring goalkeeper.
Sadly, those days are long gone, but it's still great to see La Albirroja back on the world stage for the first time since 2010.
Now, it's Atlanta's Miguel Almiron who'll be trusted with the dead-ball situations. While that's entirely less fun than a burly goalkeeper sprinting the length of the field, smashing in a goal, and then legging it back again, the 32-year-old is still an extremely reliable option.
Paraguay snagged the final World Cup-qualifying spot from the Conmebol federation, earning seven wins from 18 games to finish sixth.
That doesn't sound great, but when you see that second-place Ecuador picked up just eight wins and finished only a point ahead of Paraguay, things look a lot better.
With games against USA, Australia and Turkiye in Group D, Paraguay will feel quietly confident of qualification, even if only as one of the best third-placed teams.
31. Bosnia and Herzegovina
FIFA Rank: 65
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New entry
World Cup Group: B
Against the odds, Bosnia and Herzegovina are heading to the World Cup at Italy's expense, with the Azzurri inexplicably missing their third consecutive tournament.
In their final qualifying game, Bosnia had to rely on penalties and were helped by Alessandro Bastoni's first-half red card, but nothing matters other than the result.
The Dragons have 40-year-old Edin Dzeko leading the line. He seems rejuvenated after scoring six goals in his last eight international appearances. The trip to North America will be just his second World Cup tournament in his storied career.
In a group with Switzerland, Canada, and Qatar, Bosnia will sniff an opportunity to make it to the knockout rounds. A sturdy defensive line could be the key to vital points.
30. Tunisia
FIFA Rank: 44
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 29
World Cup Group: F
Tunisia flew through its World Cup qualifying campaign, going undefeated in Group H with nine wins in 10 games.
The Eagles of Carthage will also be uplifted by November's 1-1 draw against a strong, if not full-strength, Brazil team.
Challenges will come against higher-caliber teams than the one they faced in CAF qualifying, but a shared confidence following that campaign could deliver a surprising victory in Group F, with Sweden likely earmarked as prey.
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29. IR Iran
FIFA Rank: 21
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 28
World Cup Group: G
Iran has hovered around the top 20 in FIFA's world rankings for the best part of the last four years, but much of that is due to the nation's weaker schedule.
Despite being ranked 15th in the world in 2005, it has won only two games at World Cups since then, demonstrating how those official rankings can paint a wildly different picture than reality.
Team Melli went on a fine run of form in 2024, losing just once in 14 fixtures. However, even that has tapered off, with four losses in 12 in 2025.
A 5-1 crushing of Costa Rica to close out March would have boosted morale during a difficult time. With the United States and Israel attacking the country in February, it's not even certain Iran will be able to participate in the World Cup.
28. Panama
FIFA Rank: 33
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 26
World Cup Group: L
Panama has found a real groove in the last couple of years, reaching the Copa America quarter-final in 2024 and the Concacaf Nations League final in 2025.
Through the Second Round and the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying, Los Canaleros won each of their 10 games.
While progress to the tournament was undoubtedly helped by the absence of the United States, Canada, and Mexico in qualifying, it's hard to deny that Panama doesn't deserve to play in the global showpiece for the second time in its history.
With matchups forthcoming against England, Croatia and Ghana in Group L, those teams will not fancy playing a Panama side that is collectively strong and tough to break down.
27. Egypt
FIFA Rank: 29
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 25
World Cup Group: G
Egypt is undoubtedly headlined by Mohamed Salah, the nation's record goalscorer, the fourth-place finisher in 2025's Ballon d'Or awards, and the Premier League's top scorer in Liverpool's title-winning campaign last season.
However, the Pharaohs will be alarmed at his staggering drop in form in 2025-26 ahead of a huge tournament. That regression arguably led to his announcement that he will leave the Reds at the end of the season.
While he's still the national team captain and the primary goal threat for his country, any chance of success ultimately relies on him hitting the club form he showed last season.
Fortunately, Omar Marmoush is also a notable talent, but he's also seeing limited action for Manchester City.
Egypt still hasn't won a game at the World Cup in its history. This will be its best chance yet to notch a victory, even with faltering stars. Meetings with Iran and New Zealand bring notable chances to collect three points.
26. Czechia
FIFA Rank: 41
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New Entry
World Cup Group: A
Czechia made the most of Denmark's persistent poor fortune to win its crucial World Cup qualification playoff on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
It will be the nation's first appearance at the tournament since 2006, when they faced the United States in the group stage.
This time, the Stars and Stripes' tournament co-hosts Mexico will be waiting in Group A alongside South Africa and Korea Republic.
Confidence will be high after tasting defeat just twice since September 2024. That kind of form could result in a trip to the knockout stages.
25. Canada
FIFA Rank: 30
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 24
World Cup Group: B
Canada will play in a second consecutive World Cup tournament for the first time in its history—although that statistic was significantly aided by its status as co-host of the 2026 edition.
However, the Maple Leafs have been punching above their weight for a while, losing just once in 90 minutes over their last 16 games.
A lot of that has even come without the services of its best player, Alphonso Davies, who has only just returned to action following a cruciate ligament injury.
The 25-year-old is in a race against time to get back to full strength, as he will be crucial in Canada's efforts to put up a good show for the home supporters.
The Maple Leafs will be delighted that Jonathan David has finally found his feet at Juventus, scoring five and assisting four in all contests since December. However, he's now on a club scoring drought of seven games.
Matches against Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina offer great opportunities for wins. A trip to the knockouts is a must to avoid disappointing the home fans.
24. Austria
FIFA Rank: 24
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 23
World Cup Group: J
Austria returns to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998, largely thanks to a fairly straightforward qualifying group.
Ralf Rangnick deserves a lot of credit, though, with success built upon a strong foundation. The national team conceded just four in eight Group H games.
Somehow, Marko Arnautovic is still coming up with the goods, too. The 36-year-old notched eight goals during the qualifying phase, which is the same number as England's Harry Kane.
While Austria doesn't exactly set pulses racing, it will be tough for teams to find a breakthrough against a well-organized unit.
23. Côte d'Ivoire
FIFA Rank: 34
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 21
World Cup Group: E
In World Cup qualifying, Côte d'Ivoire had to fend off the challenge of Gabon to secure its spot, topping Group F by just a single point.
However, it did so without conceding a goal in 10 games, demonstrating a solid platform it will build upon in North America.
After losing their Africa Cup of Nations title following a quarter-final exit in January, the Elephants have tumbled a few spots in the power ranking.
Still, a 4-0 victory over Korea Republic and a 1-0 win over Scotland in March should put Germany and Ecuador on alert ahead of their Group E clash.
22. Korea Republic
FIFA Rank: 25
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 20
World Cup Group: A
Korea Republic lost just once in 16 games across Round 2 and Round 3 of AFC qualifying, securing their World Cup spot with little fuss.
LAFC's Heung-min Son was the joint-second top scorer in that campaign, notching 10. In what will surely be his last World Cup, the Korean legend will be crucial to any hopes of progression.
There is class elsewhere in the team, too, with Bayern Munich's Kim-min Jae at center-back, Paris Saint-Germain's Kang-in Lee in attacking midfield, and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hee-chan Hwang up front.
But it's Son who will be looked upon more often than not in his fourth World Cup. His enduring energy reserves will be essential to grind down a stubborn Czechia defense during a matchup that could yet be a top-two decider.
21. Ecuador
FIFA Rank: 23
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 19
World Cup Group: E
The timeless Enner Valencia led Ecuador to a surprising second-place finish in Conmebol qualifying, ahead of Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil—albeit by a single point. That came even with a three-point deduction ahead of the campaign.
La Tri only lost twice during that run. They picked up important victories against Argentina and Colombia along the way.
A run of four straight 0-0 draws in qualifying from March to September wasn't exactly inspiring, but it demonstrated the squad's fighting spirit and stout defense, led by Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié. Throughout the qualifying stages, they conceded only five goals.
However, with much of the top talent at the back and in midfield, La Tri lack a true goalscorer outside of the 36-year-old Valencia. That could scupper their hopes of a run to the latter stages.
20. USA
FIFA Rank: 16
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 14
World Cup Group: D
The U.S. men's national team had been gaining momentum under Mauricio Pochettino.
A Gold Cup final appearance in the summer of 2025, a confident 5-1 victory over Uruguay in November, and a handful of forwards playing at a high level for their clubs boosted confidence in the USMNT ranks.
Then March came along. A 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Belgium and a lackluster 2-0 defeat to Portugal all but erased the goodwill the Argentinian had built.
The home fans will still be confident that the team can reach the knockout stages for the eighth time in history, but anything beyond the round of 32 will be a miracle.
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19. Turkiye
FIFA Rank: 22
Previous Power Ranking Spot: New Entry
World Cup Group: D
Turkiye played the villains to halt Kosovo's fairytale run to a first-ever World Cup, but sentiment was not a factor for Vincenzo Montella's side as they sought a return to the tournament after last appearing in 2002.
Real Madrid's Arda Güler, Internazionale's Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Juventus' Kenan Yıldız are among a talented midfield-to-attacking unit that will cause trouble for the United States, Paraguay and Australia in Group D.
Despite having the hardest road to qualify for the tournament than their upcoming trio of opponents, Turkiye might just be favored to top the group.
18. Uruguay
FIFA Rank: 17
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 18
World Cup Group: H
Uruguay is a really difficult team to figure out. That's perhaps not surprising, since mad scientist Marcelo Bielsa is drawing up the tactics.
La Celeste managed comfortable victories over Argentina and Brazil in qualifying, but they also lost to Peru, couldn't get more than a point from Paraguay, and picked up baffling draws against Bolivia, Venezuela and Chile.
They also slumped to a 5-1 crushing at the hands of the U.S. men's national team during the November international break.
Darwin Núñez adds another volatile compound to Bielsa's chemistry, so predicting what Uruguay could do in North America is truly a fool's errand.
It could be an exit in the group stages, or it could be a run to the final four.
17. Norway
FIFA Rank: 31
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 13
World Cup Group: I
Norway will return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. One man can take much of the credit.
Erling Haaland was terrifying in UEFA qualifying, topping the scoring charts with 16 goals (double the total of those in joint second) in just eight games.
His efforts helped his nation go undefeated, with 37 goals scored and just five conceded.
Many have tried to stop the colossal 25-year-old. Few have succeeded. But in a tough Group I featuring France, Senegal and Iraq, they will need more than Haaland's goalscoring prowess to reach the knockouts.
A defeat to the Netherlands and a draw with Switzerland in March's international fixtures are perhaps informative about Norway's standing against opponents of a higher standard.
16. Japan
FIFA Rank: 18
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 17
World Cup Group: F
Japan is an interesting proposition in terms of World Cup prospects.
It has a player who is in the form of his life in Ayase Ueda, who has 22 goals in 26 Eredivisie games for Feyenoord.
Add Kauro Mitoma, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada into the mix, and opponents in Group F will have to watch out for the Samurai Blue's attacking threat.
With a defensive unit that conceded only three goals in qualifying—the least of any team in the AFC campaign—and with five wins in their last five games, including victories over Brazil and England, Japan could be considered early dark horses for a deep run.
15. Senegal
FIFA Rank: 14
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 22
World Cup Group: I
Senegal were kept honest by Congo DR in qualifying, but they ultimately sealed progression after an unbeaten run in CAF's Group B.
While that would suggest the backline is the key to the Lions of Teranga's success (just three conceded in qualifying), an attacking corps featuring Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye doesn't hurt, either.
June's 3-1 friendly victory over England demonstrated that they aren't to be underestimated. While a run to the quarter-finals—like they managed in 2002—is perhaps out of the question, getting through the group stage should be achievable.
Senegal were crowned African Cup of Nations champions in January, only for CAF to strip them of the title in March because of their walk-off in the final. Because of that, the squad will have a notable chip on its collective shoulder. France, Norway and Iraq better watch out.
14. Switzerland
FIFA Rank: 19
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 16
World Cup Group: B
Switzerland's path through World Cup qualifying was fairly serene.
While a final-day matchup with their closest challenger Kosovo did provide some jeopardy, it never seemed likely that the Dardanians could pick up a win while erasing an 11-goal deficit.
Ultimately, Switzerland progressed with no defeats and just two goals conceded. The nation often goes under the radar, but perhaps it's time others took notice.
With Granit Xhaka still dominating the midfield at the age of 33, the Swiss have a fearless leader who can inspire the squad to greater heights.
They've reached the knockouts in the last three World Cups. Matched up against Canada, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina in their group, they should have little trouble doing so again.
13. Mexico
FIFA Rank: 15
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 14
World Cup Group: A
Of the trio of host nations, Mexico will be seen as the one most likely to go the furthest.
The reigning Gold Cup champions will take on South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia in Group A. That gives them a good chance to reach the knockouts in a top-two spot.
March's international break demonstrated the gulf in class between Mexico and the United States ahead of the tournament. Up against the same two opponents, El Tri walked away with two draws, while the Stars and Stripes succumbed to two defeats.
While those aren't headline-making results, they do suggest that Mexico has more of what it takes against the standard of the teams it will have to face in this competition.
12. Belgium
FIFA Rank: 9
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 12
World Cup Group: G
Belgium's fortunes have improved since the arrival of Rudi Garcia in the dugout, but the national team is a long way away from the golden era of a few years ago.
The qualification stages might have finished with the Red Devils going undefeated, but they also included two draws against 65th-ranked North Macedonia and a 1-1 stalemate with 115th-ranked Kazakhstan, which nearly put their World Cup spot in danger.
There's a changing of the guard in progress for Belgium, with Thomas Meunier, Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku the last remaining stars from a squad that got all the way to third place in 2018—and some of them might not even make it to North America if they can't recover from injury.
While Jeremy Doku provides serious excitement among the clutch of newcomers, there are far fewer expectations for this iteration of the Red Devils.
11. Brazil
FIFA Rank: 6
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 11
World Cup Group: C
Carlo Ancelotti still hasn't quite figured out his best Brazil setup. Despite a squad full of top talent, results have been erratic, though that's maybe forgivable given the Italian's testing of starting options and tactics.
Troublingly, star player Vinicius Junior is also not at his best for either the national side or his club team, Real Madrid, even though he's experienced a mild turnaround with the latter under the guidance of Alvaro Arbeloa.
In the run-up to a major tournament, you want your headline act to be in top condition both physically and mentally. That doesn't seem to be the case with the 25-year-old at the moment.
On the whole, the Canarinho just don't have the aura they usually have heading into a World Cup. That could result in an early knockout-round exit.
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10. Colombia
FIFA Rank: 13
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 10
World Cup Group: K
Colombia has gone through periods of feast and famine. After eight wins in nine games to start 2024, Los Cafeteros then lost in the Copa America final to Argentina. After that, they went on a run of two wins in 10 up to June 2025.
They climbed out of the valley with five wins in their next six, but the March international break brought defeats against Croatia and France. That doesn't bode well for games against strong international teams on the world stage.
Luis Diaz is a man in immense form, with 22 goals and 18 assists in 38 games in all contests for Bayern Munich since signing in the summer. But there isn't a lot he can do about the national team's erratic form. Questions will need to be asked of the coaching staff.
A trip to the knockouts should be a given, but going beyond the round of 16 will depend on whether they can get themselves out of a rut.
9. Croatia
FIFA Rank: 11
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 9
World Cup Group: L
Somehow, despite the advancing years of the squad, Croatia is still performing at a top level. The Vatreni went undefeated in qualifying to top Group L at a canter.
After a runners-up spot at the 2018 tournament in Russia and a third-place finish in 2022, we should expect Croatia to slip further into the finishing pack. However, that doesn't mean it still can't cause some headaches.
In March, Croatia toppled Colombia but lost to Brazil, demonstrating that they can still cause trouble but can't be fully relied upon.
In Group L, England won't be looking forward to facing the nation that beat them in the 2018 semifinals.
8. Morocco
FIFA Rank: 8
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 8
World Cup Group: C
Morocco cruised through CAF qualifying with eight wins from eight, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two.
While there's no denying the level of competition isn't as high in the CAF as in other federations, they are still notable statistics.
After a fourth-place finish in Qatar last time out, Morocco will be aiming to repeat or even better the trick, and with many of the core players still around this time, there's every chance the Atlas Lions can pull it off.
While they are technically the Africa Cup of Nations champions after CAF stripped Senegal of the title following a walk-off in the final, the result still says they lost 1-0, so not much morale can be taken from that dubious title.
Still, Achraf Hakimi is coming off a huge, quadruple-winning season with Paris Saint-Germain. He will be a driving force in Morocco's ambitions.
7. Portugal
FIFA Rank: 5
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 6
World Cup Group: K
For better or worse, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the headline name in Portugal's squad. Most discussions surrounding the Seleçao's potential in the summer will undoubtedly see his name crop up quickly.
More broadly, though, Portugal might be a little concerned heading into the World Cup.
Qualification looked all but certain until it stumbled to a 2-2 draw with Hungary and a 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, when a win against either would have been enough to confirm progression before the final matchday.
After starting the year among the favorites to be 2026 World Cup finalists, it's clear that Portugal has slipped a little from that label after recent results in crunch circumstances.
In March, a 0-0 draw against Mexico, albeit in difficult circumstances, didn't boost expectations, while a 2-0 victory over the United States would have been the least to expect.
Once again, the Seleçao might end up disappointing on the world stage.
6. Netherlands
FIFA Rank: 7
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 7
World Cup Group: F
The Netherlands appears to be hitting a wave at just the right time.
The Oranje have not been defeated over 90 minutes since October 2024. From June 2025 to the end of November, they scored 25 and conceded four in seven games.
There is strength to draw on all over the park, and while a world-class central striker might be lacking, that doesn't appear to have affected the goal tally.
In fact, 32-year-old Memphis Depay was the joint-second highest scorer in World Cup qualifying.
The Dutch will fancy themselves in North America. With Japan, Tunisia and Sweden standing in their way in Group F, they should easily make it to the knockout stage and will be eyeing the semifinals.
5. Germany
6 of 10
FIFA Rank: 10
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 5
World Cup Group: E
After a run of three straight defeats from June to September, including a 2-0 loss to Slovakia, panic might have been starting to set in among Germany's ranks.
However, manager Julian Nagelsmann turned things around quickly, with five straight wins taking them to the top of qualifying Group A.
While Florian Wirtz hasn't made the best start to his Liverpool career, he's still a vital component of the national team setup, as demonstrated with a star turn in a 4-3 victory over Switzerland.
Steadily, Germany is putting itself back in the picture for World Cup success, which is a much better feeling for the nation's fans after back-to-back group-stage exits after winning it all in 2014.
4. England
7 of 10
FIFA Rank: 4
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 2
World Cup Group: L
Manager Thomas Tuchel is well and truly settled within the England setup after overcoming a rocky start.
In qualifying Group K, England won eight of eight and didn't concede once—the only team to keep a clean sheet in every game.
It's often said that a solid defense is the key to title success. While England seems to have got that down, a lethal striker doesn't hurt, either.
Harry Kane was the joint-second-highest goalscorer in qualifying with eight, and he's maintained an even better scoring ratio in club action, with 48 goals in 40 games for Bayern Munich in all competitions so far this season.
England's optimism is often misplaced ahead of international tournaments. While confidence was high after the qualifying slate, the Three Lions have been brought back down to Earth.
A draw with Uruguay and a loss against Japan, albeit without Harry Kane and with players unlikely to make the team, has slightly deflated England's expectation balloon.
3. Argentina
8 of 10
FIFA Rank: 3
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 4
World Cup Group: J
Much like Ronaldo and Portugal, Messi still holds the spotlight for his national team. The fortunes of both in their respective final World Cup outings will be watched closely by football fans everywhere.
Unlike his former La Liga rival, though, Messi has been less present in the national team setup, either because of injury or club commitments.
That means Argentina has had to look for other sources of inspiration, which might be better for the squad's overall balance.
Still, La Albiceleste lost once in nine games in 2025 (when Messi was absent, no less). They dominated Conmebol qualifying, finishing nine points ahead of second-place Ecuador.
The reigning World Cup champions will be the team to beat just because of that reputation. A fairly comfortable group featuring Algeria, Austria and Jordan should have them fresh for the knockout rounds.
2. France
9 of 10
FIFA Rank: 1
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 3
World Cup Group: I
France might be the new No. 1 in FIFA's World Ranking, but it only climbs to second here.
After consecutive trips to the World Cup final, France will once again be considered a top contender to make it all the way.
Having a player like Kylian Mbappé to call on certainly helps those ambitions, but the squad is stacked with stars from front to back, including Mike Maignan, William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga, Michael Olise and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
While progression from UEFA World Cup qualifying Group D might have been serene, going unbeaten in six games, a 2-2 draw with 74th-ranked Iceland would have been a mild concern. That's not to mention the fact that Les Bleus didn't score more than four in any of their outings with such an array of attacking talent.
But France will be up there when all is said and done. It's just a matter of putting all the pieces in the right place.
With friendly victories in March against Brazil and Colombia, Les Bleus have also made a notable statement to upcoming opponents.
1. Spain
10 of 10
FIFA Rank: 2
Previous Power Ranking Spot: 1
World Cup Group: H
Despite no longer being the No. 1-ranked team in international football, the reigning European champions look well placed to take their success from 2024 to even greater heights.
Spain has lost just once over 90 minutes since the start of 2024. The squad has about two or three top-quality options for almost every position.
A squad that features a mixture of youthful brilliance and experienced talent is a perfect recipe for success. The fact that one of those bright young stars is Lamine Yamal gives them an additional edge.
The Barcelona sensation will have just turned 19 before the World Cup final, but he could make all the difference as La Furia Roja chart a course to the title.
In six qualifying games, Spain scored 21 and conceded twice, with the latter coming against Turkey when a World Cup spot had been sealed and usual starters were rested.
With many of the same players still around from the Euro 2024 triumph, the squad is settled, comfortable and confident. Anything less than a trip to the final will be considered a failure.
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