World Cup 2026 Power Rankings After Group Stage

Key takeaways

France top the power rankings, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice on his first appearance and Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé also impressing throughout the group stage.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 this week, became the World Cup's record goalscorer and netted six goals in the group stage despite being rested for Argentina's final match.
England won two of their three group games but struggled badly against Ghana and Panama, with defensive frailties a growing concern for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Mexico co-hosts won all three group games without conceding, with Julián Quiñones scoring the tournament's first goal within 10 minutes.
Morocco have been one of the surprise packages, playing adventurous football and combining well through Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari, who has already netted three times.

World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: France and Argentina Lead After Group Stage

The Guardian has published its post-group-stage power rankings for all 48 nations at World Cup 2026, and it makes for encouraging reading if you are backing France or Argentina — and rather more nervous reading if you are an England supporter.

France and Argentina Set the Standard

France sit at the top of the pile. Kylian Mbappé took roughly an hour to find his feet in the tournament before scoring twice against Senegal, and the supporting cast around him has been equally impressive. Michael Olise has caught the eye, and Ousmane Dembélé bagged a hat-trick against Norway. Didier Deschamps’ side look the team to beat heading into the knockouts.

Argentina are close behind. Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday this week, is now the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer after a hat-trick against Algeria and two goals against Austria — despite also missing a penalty in that latter game. He scored six goals across the group stage, even managing to find the net from the bench when rested for Argentina’s final group fixture.

England Through But Unconvincing

England secured back-to-back wins thanks to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane stepping up in tight moments, but Thomas Tuchel’s men were made to look very ordinary at times against Ghana and Panama, with both sides successfully parking the bus against them. The Guardian’s assessment echoes what many England watchers have felt: there is real quality in attack, but the defensive unit does not look anywhere near as reliable.

For more on how the groups have unfolded, check out our World Cup 2026 hub and keep an eye on the live standings as the last-16 gets under way.

Others to Watch

Mexico have been one of the tournament’s early stories, winning all three group games without conceding a single goal. Julián Quiñones scored the very first goal of the competition inside 10 minutes, and head coach Javier Aguirre has kept his squad focused on what lies ahead rather than celebrating what has already been achieved.

Morocco have also impressed, playing with far more attacking intent than expected. Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari have combined well in the final third, with Saibari already on three goals. Their reward for that adventurous football is a last-16 tie against the Netherlands — likely their toughest test yet.

Netherlands themselves have been bolstered by Brian Brobbey leading the line, with captain Virgil van Dijk noting that the striker had been dominant throughout the Premier League season and has carried that form onto the world stage, scoring three times in two starts.

Brazil have relied heavily on Vinícius Júnior, who finished the group stage with four goals, while Colombia’s progress has been built around full-back Daniel Muñoz and the flair of Luis Díaz — though head coach Nestor Lorenzo acknowledged that expectations around the squad have shifted considerably since he took the job.

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