2026 World Cup Power Rankings: France Flexes Their Muscle While England Lacks Conviction

Following each international break, we’ll be evaluating and ranking the ten teams in the best form to potentially dominate the tournament hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, assessing their performance levels and squad strengths.

With qualification now complete, here’s how the teams are shaping up just two months out from the tournament.

10. Senegal (new entry)

Senegal has experienced a whirlwind of events since the last rankings were published. They participated in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reached the final, and claimed the title—only to have it revoked later.

Although they might not bear the official title of African champions, their performance in Morocco was stellar, and they would have emerged victorious in the final had it not been for two controversial refereeing decisions against them. They followed up that impressive tournament with victories over Peru and Gambia.

Coach Sadio Mane’s squad enters the top ten in place of Norway and Morocco. Norway had a disappointing showing during the March international break, while Morocco’s uncertainty looms large after the resignation of manager Walid Regragui.

Japan has moved up a position, thanks to two narrow 1-0 victories during the March friendlies, one over Scotland and the other against England.

They have now recorded five straight wins, including triumphs against heavyweights like Brazil and England, achieving their last two victories without the influence of key player Takefusa Kubo.

With talent spread throughout the squad, Japan looks poised to present a formidable challenge to both European and South American giants this summer.

8. Germany (new entry)

Following a rocky patch from late 2024 until the onset of World Cup qualifying, Germany has steadily rediscovered their form, registering seven consecutive victories since then.

Their latest wins, a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Switzerland and a 2-1 success against Ghana, may not seem spectacular, yet Germany outclassed both opponents.

With Florian Wirtz returning to form, rising star Lennart Karl showing vast potential, and Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav on fire, Julian Nagelsmann’s squad is back on an upward trajectory.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of positives for the Netherlands during the latest international window, comfortably dispatching Norway despite missing key players like Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay.

However, their subsequent 1-1 draw with Ecuador left something to be desired, particularly considering their lacklustre performance which was made even less impressive by their reduction to ten men in the first half.

The Dutch may struggle with offensive firepower even with the strong performances from Donyell Malen and Brian Brobbey at club level, but they possess significant individual talent in defence and midfield, their only loss in the past 14 matches being a penalty shootout defeat to Spain.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil remains a work in progress, illustrated by their 2-1 loss to France, even whilst playing against ten men for the final 40 minutes. However, their 3-1 victory over Croatia that followed was a significant step forward, with young talents Endrick shining and Igot Thiafo scoring his inaugural international goal.

The Selecao showcases room for growth, but with a squad brimming with world-class talent under Ancelotti’s guidance, they are always considered contenders.

England’s early performances in 2026 have not lived up to expectations, with two disheartening displays resulting in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay and a 1-0 defeat to Japan, neither match showcasing their best football.

Nevertheless, Thomas Tuchel appeared to be trialling different lineups, suggesting that both he and his squad might raise their game when the stakes are higher.

Yet, as it stands, they seem to be lacking the sharpness of other top contenders.

Portugal opted to travel across the Atlantic to experience the conditions they’ll encounter this summer. They had a 0-0 draw with Mexico and followed it with a 2-0 victory over the USA, but neither match provided any fresh insights into the team’s capabilities.

With a squad as talented as any, there’s a sense that there is more potential to unlock, yet they are undoubtedly good enough to defeat nearly any team on their day.

France kicked off their 2026 campaign in superb fashion, with their top squad managing to secure a 2-0 win against Brazil—even when reduced to ten men—and their second-choice team displaying impressive form by netting three goals against Colombia.

Some depth in midfield is missing, as underscored by N’Golo Kante’s comeback into the fold, yet their recent matches demonstrated a frightening attacking prowess, led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Hugo Ekitike, and Desire Doue, all looking sharp.

On the topic of attacking strength, Argentina rebounded from a somewhat unexciting 2-1 win over Mauritania with a stunning 5-0 victory over Zambia, where Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi—potentially in his final match on home soil—both delivered dazzling performances, while Nico Paz’s showing in the previous match was another positive development for the reigning champions.

Defensively, they are also holding up well, suggesting they are well-prepared to launch a robust defence of their title.

Spain’s start to 2026 hasn’t been seamless, with the European champions held to a 0-0 stalemate at home against Egypt just days after a dominant display against Serbia. Yet, they were without key forwards Mikel Oyarzabal and Nico Williams, while Rodri and Pedri were only brought on as substitutes.

The match against Serbia showcased their true potential, illustrating that, at full strength, they remain a formidable force on the global stage.