When the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, there concerns about dilution of quality for the tournament. Looking now at the 32 teams left in this 2026 World Cup, those concerns don’t seem as valid, as many of the confederations that saw an increase in qualified teams performed well, most notably CAF, with 9 of 10 African nations reaching the last 32.
While the only traditional powers to miss the last 32 would be Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, who had a dreadful tournament in an approachable group, and arguably South Korea, who alongside Iran, were knocked out on the final matchday as a third-place team. AFC did not have the best tournament. Steve Clarke also stepped down as Scotland manager after Scotland failed to reach the last 32.
Moving forward, with knockout stage play beginning on Sunday with Canada against South Africa, we offer our revised and updated power rankings for all 32 teams.
32. South Africa
A brave comeback effort to reach the last 32, and a real chance to upset Canada, but anything beyond Round of 16 would be a shock.
31. Bosnia
They aren’t favored to reach the last 16, facing the United States, but the fan support and the young attack are both notable highlights as they had a solid group stage to qualify in a third-place spot. Edin Dzeko reached a well-deserved World Cup knockout stage.
30. Ghana
Incredibly impressive defending from Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana, including holding England to a draw, but Colombia are a tough opponent, and they looked a bit undone against Croatia.
29. Paraguay
Paraguay defend great but they struggle to score goals, they will be heavy underdogs against Germany given the shellacking they got at the hands of the USA on match day 1.
28. DR Congo
A great tournament for them, highlighted by a brave draw against Portugal. DR Congo will dream big against England.
27. Egypt
Egypt were outplayed against Iran, but they put together a solid performance against Belgium. This is far from an elite team, but the game against Australia will be interesting before the winner likely gets dismantled by Argentina.
26. Cape Verde
A tremendous tournament, drawing with Spain and playing some of the best park the bus, defensive football you could pay to watch. The trouble is they face the buzzsaw that is Argentina in the last 32, playing with 99% faith, and 1% possibility for the remainder of this tournament.
25. Algeria
The match against Switzerland is winnable, but the goalkeeping has been poor and this is a team that hasn’t yet achieved its maximum level or anything close to it. Colombia will really back themselves into the quarterfinals.
24. Australia
Plucky defending, great counterattacks, and a possible R16 clash with Lionel Messi and Argentina. The Socceroos should be in good spirits about how this tournament has gone with four points from three games.
23. Sweden
Sweden is an inconsistent team, the attack an threaten the world’s best, but they don’t defend well and should get battered by France in the last 32.
22. Austria
It’s been a bit passive and pedestrian from Austria, who were dismantled by Argentina, they are now facing elimination if Spain can play somewhat near their best in the last 32.
21. Canada
The hosts had to travel to Los Angeles to face South Africa after they lost to Switzerland on the last matchday. Should they win, the Netherlands or Morocco are a much tougher test for a side that hasn’t been able to get completely healthy and show their potential.
20. Switzerland
Switzerland won their group but there are concerns if they have to face Colombia in the round of 16, the matchday 1 draw against Qatar shows their limitations, the tough win over Canada shows their promise.
19. Senegal
It all came together for Senegal on matchday 3 in a tough situation, but they were the worse of France and Norway, and there’s trouble in the locker room. Belgium or the United States could knock them out in the next two games.
18. Ecuador
Ecuador was facing elimination before an incredible victory against Germany lit their flame again. A trip to face Mexico is tough, but with the quality of their defence they could slide into the last 8 past England and Mexico if those sides falter. Ultimately this team still has potential, the offense was improved on matchday 3, and Moises Caicedo still bosses the midfield engine role.
17. Ivory Coast
They have to be ranked ahead of Ecuador, they beat them, and then narrowly lost to Germany.. Norway, followed by Japan or Brazil is one of the toughest draws of the tournament though, and Yan Diomande can’t do it all alone for Ivory Coast.
16. Belgium
Belgium were terrible offensively their first two games, and still you feel this side has enough talent to go on a run. Senegal in the round of 32 is a tough test for Kevin de Bruyne and company, and Rudi Garcia’s tactics are poor.
15. Croatia
Croatia may be long in the tooth at certain positions but they can score goals and have a reliable goalkeeper, tactically they will be superior against Portugal, but they are unlikely to past both Spain and Portugal in the next two games.
14. Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo refusing to press and run, and Roberto Martinez boldly defending his failed tactics have really ruined Portugal’s tournament. They were on the brink of defeat against Colombia and only drew with DR Congo, It feels unlikely they can beat Croatia and Spain consecutively with this many problems in the midfield, in the backline, and with Ronaldo’s style of play in 2026.
13. United States
A fantastic tournament from the US Men’s national team, though the quality of opposition could make it a mirage. Mauricio Pochettino has shown he can get the United States scoring goals and they have a path to a possible quarterfinal against Spain/Portugal/Croatia. Ultimately you have to love what they have done on home soil, avoiding cracking under pressure.
12. Morocco
A solid draw against Brazil was the highlight of an otherwise subpar tournament thus far. They could crash out against the Netherlands or start a run that could see them go far, it’s all on the line on Monday for Morocco.
11. Japan
It’s unpleasant to have to face Brazil, but they did draw with The Netherlands and despite some injury issues to the preferred XI, have played well all tournament. Japan are fearless and can upset anyone but there’s a ceiling here.
10. Norway
We saw the best of this Norway squad when Erling Haaland was running rampant in the first two games. We didn’t see their best against France as the manager opted to rest players. The game against Ivory Coast is compelling, and a test against Norway or Japan would follow. With an attack this good, anything is possible, the World Cup turns on great attacking play, but the backline limits their ceiling.
9. Mexico
Mexico will have homefield advantage against Ecuador and likely England for the next two games. They have yet to concede a goal this tournament, and players like Julian Quinones are good enough attackers to give most defences fits. The Ecuador game is tough, but playing at altitude they would be even odds against England at Estadio Azteca. El Tri is built for knockout football and finally starting to believe.
8. Germany
Two wins from three, but they were not convincing against Ivory Coast and outright lost to Ecuador. They will need to break down Paraguay’s low block, before running into the buzzsaw that is France in the last 16. Germany are talented but still seem a tier below.
7. Colombia
Los Cafeteros have exceeded expectations by winning their group. James Rodriguez has looked vintage at times, Luis Diaz can threaten on the wing, but what about the less famous names? Davinson Sanchez reeling in the years in the backline, Camilo Vargas looking stable in goal, and Gustavo Puerta a revelation in the midfield. It’s all coming together for Colombia in terms of momentum; they will have to break down Ghana. They will be favored over Switzerland or Algeria before a likely Copa America final rematch with Argentina in the last 8. Colombia play great transition, attacking football.
6. Netherlands
A clear path to the last 8 is what the Dutch earned themselves by winning their group. The defence is solid, the midfield is capable, but Brian Brobbey is shouldering the striker role. Getting past France remains unlikely.
5. Spain
We haven’t seen the best of Spain, they rely on Lamine Yamal to choregraph the attack otherwise it all becomes a bit sideways and passive. Inaki Williams is out with an injury now, but they remain favored against Austria and Portugal/Croatia to reach the last eight. The reigning European Champions must up their level to go as far as the final.
4. England
England won their group but still endured two tough games against teams playing a low block and limiting Harry Kane. Jude Bellingham is the best midfielder they have, and the defence hasn’t been an obvious concern, there’s still talent here, and the side is built for knockout football but Mexico, followed by Brazil look like a gauntlet to reach the semifinals.
3. Brazil
South American teams have had a good tournament, and with Vinicius Junior on song, Brazil believe they can go far. The midfield is the weakness and the draw isn’t easy, but the atmosphere seems to align for Brazil to be genuine contenders again.
2. France
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are just two of the players defenders have been tormented by this tournament which included wins over Senegal and Norway’s b side. Germany, and the Netherlands would be a mini Euro tournament in the last 16 and the quarterfinal if we get to that point. France is stacked at almost every position and confident, they look to be favored en route to the final, and a possible 2022 World Cup rematch with Argentina.
1. Argentina
With Lionel Messi unstoppable, and his teammates confident and in-form around him on both sides of the ball it’s hard to go against the defending champions who bossed the group stage. Being on the side of the bracket with Colombia and one of England/Brazil/Japan/Mexico/Norway it’s a relatively soft path to the final. In that final it’s still hard to go against the reigning champions who play with aura.
