2026 World Cup Power Rankings After Round of 16

The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 brought dramatic incidents both on and off the pitch, with some more welcome than others.

We also saw the contrasting fortunes of two of the best to ever play the game, with one likely stepping away from the competition for good and the other writing another chapter in his legacy.

In the end, though, we're down to just eight teams, and the quarterfinal round looks ripe for upsets. 

Of course, it also means there have been adjustments to the B/R power rankings. Read on to see how the order has changed after the latest action in North America. 

Stats from Fotmob unless otherwise stated.

42-17 (Eliminated)

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Luka Modric, Croatia

48. Iraq

47. Tunisia

46. Uzbekistan

45. Haiti

44. Jordan

43. Panama

42. Qatar

41. Curaçao

40. New Zealand

39. Czechia

38. Uruguay

37. Saudi Arabia

36. Iran

35. Scotland

34. Korea Republic

33. Turkiye

32. Bosnia and Herzegovina

31. Algeria

30. South Africa

29. DR Congo

28. Ghana

27. Sweden

26. Cabo Verde

25. Austria

24. Australia

23. Ecuador

22. Germany 

21. Côte d'Ivoire

20. Senegal

19. Japan

18. Croatia

17. Netherlands

Check out the previous Power Ranking updates to see the analysis for these teams.

16-9 (Eliminated)

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

16. United States

FIFA Ranking: 16 

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 13

Where to start? The United States quickly became a villain in the eyes of much of the footballing world after U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that he had asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's suspension for the round of 16, imposed following the 25-year-old's red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino—who had previously awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize—agreed to the review, and Balogun was cleared to start against Belgium.

The move was widely condemned, with critics arguing that the decision undermined the game's rules and cast a dark cloud over the tournament.

If anything, it all just lit a fire under the Red Devils, who crushed the Stars and Stripes 4-1—and the Monaco forward was nowhere near the scoresheet. 

The circumstances of the United States' exit from the competition mean there is little sympathy, which is a shame, as Mauricio Pochettino's side had acquitted itself well up to that point. 

But it was certainly outclassed on the pitch in the round of 16, managing just two shots on target and making plenty of individual errors. 

15. Paraguay

FIFA Ranking: 34

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 16

Paraguay knew its limitations in the round of 16 matchup with France, so it resorted to football's dark arts to try to get something from the game. 

The players set out to frustrate Les Bleus, relying on physicality and battling qualities to wipe out runners, shut down counterattacks, and generally knock a few chunks out of French legs. 

Paraguay had 24% possession and completed 98 passes compared to France's 510, and the numbers illustrate which team was looking to play football and which was in damage-limitation mode.

It was working well until the 65th minute, when Désiré Doué's dancing feet panicked La Albirroja's back line, sending limbs flying in from all angles. One of them caught the PSG forward and sent him tumbling, and after consulting VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. 

Despite Paraguay's efforts to put off the Real Madrid star, Kylian Mbappé kept his composure and planted his penalty past the otherwise excellent Orlando Gill. 

It might not have been pretty, but Paraguay executed the game plan and almost took the matchup to extra time. Up against a team of France's caliber, there wasn't a lot else La Albirroja could have done. 

14. Canada

FIFA Ranking: 30

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 15

Canada played some aesthetically pleasing football during its historic run to the World Cup round of 16, but the Maple Leafs were ultimately lacking in individual quality. 

Up against Morocco, Canada arguably edged the first half, putting together some fine passages of play and almost taking the lead through Tani Oluwaseyi. 

But the Atlas Lions got the crucial opener early in the second half, and that turned the game into an attacking slugfest, with each team taking turns to launch an assault at the opposition back line. 

Morocco was better at exploiting the gaps that were created, though, eventually grabbing two more goals on the counterattack and putting an end to Canada's tournament.

Many expected Canada to be the letdown among the co-hosts, but in the end, the Maple Leafs got just as far as their neighbors. Head coach Jesse Marsch deserves plenty of credit for that.

13. Egypt

FIFA Ranking: 24

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 14

Egypt could practically taste the quarterfinals, taking a shock 2-0 lead over Argentina that it held right up until the 79th minute. It could have even been three without an incredibly harsh VAR intervention.

But La Albiceleste managed to score three in the span of 14 minutes to seal a remarkable comeback win and likely end Mohamed Salah's World Cup career.

It was a devastating defeat, but pushing the reigning world champions to the edge in a knockout fixture is an achievement in itself, and a place in the round of 16 represents the nation's joint-best-ever performance at the global footballing showpiece. 

Even with Salah not at his best, the collective pushed the Pharaohs to unexpected heights, nearly making history in the process.

12. Brazil

FIFA Ranking: 5

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 5

Things were looking bright for Brazil until the Seleçao Canarinho came up against Erling Haaland.

The South Americans were improving with every game and were starting to look like the kind of Brazil side we have come to expect. But then they ran into the towering, blond-haired goal machine, who put two past them and sent them packing. 

It could have been a different story had Bruno Guimarães converted his first-half penalty, but Ørjan Nyland was equal to it to keep the score at 0-0. The 35-year-old goalkeeper made a string of excellent saves during the contest, and Brazil simply couldn't find a way through until a consolation spot-kick from Neymar with seconds to spare. 

It marked another disappointing tournament for Brazil, which is sad for anyone who loves o jogo bonito. 

11. Colombia

FIFA Ranking: 11

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 8

Colombia's tendency to blow hot and cold held true at the World Cup, with Los Cafeteros' temperature feeling more icy than steamy.

After a scorching 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan to start the tournament, Los Cafeteros went off the boil, failing to score more than one goal in any match since then, including a frustrating 0-0 draw with Switzerland over 120 minutes in the round of 16. 

Luis Díaz wasn't able to translate his scintillating club form onto the international stage, scoring and assisting in that Uzbekistan game but not impacting the scoresheet since.

It's been really disappointing from a team that can play some excellent football at times. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see much of that in North America.

10. Mexico

FIFA Ranking: 10

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 6

Mexico and the power of the Azteca couldn't stop England's march to the quarterfinals.

El Tri had only been defeated at the stadium twice before the Three Lions showed up. However, a quick-fire double from Jude Bellingham and a confident penalty from Harry Kane proved too much to overcome, despite the home side having a man advantage for a third of the game.

Mexico pushed and pushed but couldn't get the all-important equalizer, with England clinging on at times and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making a couple of remarkable saves. 

El Tri won their other four games and didn't concede until the round of 16, so an exit at this stage of the competition seems undeserved. While they can't change the result, they can take some solace from being the best of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

9. Portugal

FIFA Ranking: 7

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 9

So that's it, the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career. The 41-year-old was far from his best at the 2026 tournament, to the detriment of his side, but it's difficult to argue against his colossal impact on the sport and the tournament.

Ronaldo is the only player to score at six different World Cup tournaments, and only eight players have notched more than his 11 in the global football showpiece. 

Still, it all ends without claiming the biggest trophy available, a black mark against him in the "greatest of all time" debate.

Portugal weren't overmatched against neighbors Spain, but they didn't make their attacking pressure pay. La Furia Roja, on the other hand, kept pushing until Mikel Merino found the breakthrough with time running out. 

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa also kept the Seleçao in it at points, making five important saves. 

It's yet another missed opportunity for a Portugal side with plenty of quality. With big changes on the horizon, including Ronaldo's expected international retirement and the departure of manager Roberto Martinez, it will be fascinating to see the direction the national team goes next.

8. Switzerland

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FIFA Ranking: 15

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 10

It was a well-matched round-of-16 fixture between Switzerland and Colombia, but it was a meeting of middling performances rather than two quality opponents going at it hammer and tongs. 

But Switzerland prevailed on penalties, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954. It sets up a meeting with Argentina, but based on its showing against Los Cafeteros, it's difficult to see the Swiss getting much joy out of La Albiceleste.

It's strange to say for a player who has only started twice at the tournament, but Johan Manzambi was a big miss against Colombia, with the 20-year-old the only player on the squad who can threaten with a little directness and unpredictability.

If he recovers from injury in time to feature in the next round, he at least gives Switzerland a chance of springing a surprise against the South Americans. If not, the Nati will have to rely on a strong defensive performance and to progress on spot-kicks once again.

7. Belgium

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Romelu Lukaku

FIFA Ranking: 8

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 12

Belgium is riding a kind side of the draw to extend its World Cup run, but it's also growing into the tournament. 

It's now 12 goals in the last three games for the Red Devils, and manager Rudi Garcia seems to have figured out how best to impact games using his options from the bench.

That's really important in tournament football, which can be won and lost depending on what players are available in the closing minutes of contests and during extra time. Against the United States, Belgium had two goals from substitutes.

The Red Devils might not have dominated possession in that game, but they had more shots, more shots on target, and more big chances than the Stars and Stripes. That shows that they can still be dangerous even when playing on the back foot. 

With that, confidence will be high going into a meeting with Spain, which didn't look overly convincing against Portugal. An upset is certainly on the cards in Los Angeles.

6. Norway

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FIFA Ranking: 19

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 11

Can one man win a World Cup title on his own? That's perhaps unfair on the rest of the Norway team, but it looks like it will go as far as Erling Haaland can take it. 

The 25-year-old has seven goals in four games in North America, including an all-important brace in the round of 16 against Brazil. 

Haaland is so difficult to contain, and you simply can't give him an opportunity to put a shot on goal. The Seleçao Canarinho found that out the hard way. 

Up against England in the next round, and facing defenders he will be more than familiar with, you wouldn't bet against him grabbing an early goal and ratcheting up the tension on a side under serious pressure to end a long wait for a World Cup trophy.

Norway, on the other hand, has already exceeded expectations and reached the quarterfinals for the first time in the nation's history. The pressure is off, and that could prove the difference against a nervy England team. 

5. Morocco

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Brahim Diaz, Morocco

FIFA Ranking: 6

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 7

Morocco was curiously placid in the first half against Canada, allowing the Maple Leafs to put some neat passages of play together while offering little in return.

It turns out the Atlas Lions were pretty much baiting their opponents, conserving energy and waiting for the perfect moment to open the deadlock, which they did with a well-worked free-kick routine. 

From there, Canada went for broke, but that left the team exposed to the counterattack, and Morocco gladly accepted the invitation to burst forward and expand their lead—twice.

There's a debate to be had about how much of that was planned and how much it was simply a matter of circumstance, but in the end, Morocco ran away 3-0 winners without really breaking a sweat. 

With France up next in the quarterfinal, those energy reserves will be crucial. Les Bleus had to battle tooth and nail against Paraguay, and that could come back to bite them against a reasonably fresh Morocco side. 

Achraf Hakimi will have the inside line on a handful of France's star players, having played alongside them at Paris Saint-Germain. That wisdom could be the key to an upset. 

4. Spain

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FIFA Ranking: 3

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 3

Spain got the job done against Portugal, but it wasn't the most convincing of wins. 

La Furia Roja had to wait until the 91st minute to break the deadlock, with substitute Mikel Merino replicating his role as makeshift striker for Arsenal and calmly slotting past an otherwise excellent Diogo Costa. 

Portugal was well off the pace in Dallas, and Spain should have taken advantage. Instead, it struggled to a narrow win, and the Barcelona duo of Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo have yet to really come alive in North America, offering little in the attacking third. 

Things look a little perilous for the European champions, despite being the last team to have kept a clean sheet in every game.

With a buoyant Belgium side up next, Spain can't afford to drag the quarterfinal out, as the Red Devils have proven adept at adjusting and scoring vital goals in the closing stages of matches.

3. England

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Harry Kane

FIFA Ranking: 4

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 4

In what might be the match of the tournament so far, England clung on for a 3-2 win against Mexico. 

The Three Lions had 10 men for over half an hour and had to lock down in the face of wave after wave of Mexico pressure, which was already a challenge in the Azteca cauldron. 

While the victory was encouraging, it also demonstrated England's resilience, with everyone pitching in to the defensive effort in the thin air of Mexico City.

Getting to the goal proved much easier than it did against the stout back lines of Panama, Ghana, and DR Congo, and Thomas Tuchel will be encouraged by the blossoming partnership between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. 

Up against Norway, it might be better to focus on racking up the goals rather than hoping to keep Erling Haaland quiet for 90 minutes. 

2. Argentina

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Lionel Messi

FIFA Ranking: 2

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 2

Argentina was on the brink of World Cup elimination after Egypt took a 2-0 lead in their round-of-16 match.

But then Lionel Messi remembered he was Lionel Messi and inspired the team to victory.

The No. 10 had missed a penalty in the first half that would have tied things at 1-1, and after that, he just couldn't find his shooting range and was on the periphery of the action.

But that all changed with 11 minutes of the 90 to go. The little magician whipped in an excellent cross that found the head of Cristian Romero, who made it 2-1. Then, just a couple of minutes later, the ball broke favorably into Messi's path, and his first-time strike was too powerful for goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir to keep out.

Enzo Fernandez then completed the comeback after connecting with a Lautaro Martinez cross, sending Argentina to the quarterfinals.

It was another remarkable intervention from arguably the best to have ever played the game. When Argentina needed a spark, Messi was there to provide it, just as he has done for years for his nation. 

While trailing 2-0 to the team ranked 24th in the world might seem like a red flag, Messi in this kind of form—sitting atop the scoring charts with eight goals in five games—is ominous for Switzerland in the quarterfinal and for Norway or England in the semis. 

If this is the final chapter of Messi's World Cup career, he's obviously keen to make it a memorable one.

1. France

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Kylian Mbappe

FIFA Ranking: 1

Previous Power Ranking Spot: 1

France went through the wringer against Paraguay, and while it was never really troubled at the back, it was an almighty challenge to blast through La Albirroja's stubborn resolve.

In the end, it was a penalty that proved the difference. While there is some concern that Les Bleus had to rely on a spot-kick against an overmatched Paraguay, their usual magic was stymied by a side content to sit back and defend with their lives. 

A win is a win in those circumstances, and that they came away relatively unscathed is the most important thing. 

Aside from the talent unleashed in the starting XI, what should really trouble opponents, including Morocco in the quarterfinals, is the difference-makers that can be summoned from the bench.

When Bradley Barcola couldn't find a way through, head coach Didier Deschamps could call on Désiré Doué to try to find cracks in the Paraguay rear guard. It took the 21-year-old less than five minutes to earn the all-important penalty that Kylian Mbappé dispatched.

Later in the game, Ousmané Dembele was withdrawn for Rayan Cherki, providing another fresh set of twinkle toes to wear Paraguay down and keep the ball while under pressure. 

France just has so many ways to hurt teams, and with the route to the final containing fewer traffic jams, it should go back to scoring goals for fun.