World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: France Hold Top Spot as the Round of 16 Takes Shape
France remain the team to beat at the 2026 World Cup according to ESPN's post-Round-of-32 panel, with Argentina, Spain and Brazil close behind as the bracket narrows.
Articles
Browse all articles
World Cup Golden Boot Race: Mbappe Catches Messi as Ronaldo's Record Falls
Kylian Mbappe has matched Lionel Messi's tournament-leading goal tally at the 2026 World Cup while breaking Ronaldo's all-time record and Haaland hunts from behind.
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Host Nation Faces a Must-Win Knockout
The United States face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a high-stakes World Cup Round of 32 clash with the host nation hoping to ride home support into the last 16.
Piero Hincapié Transfer Buzz: Why Europe's Top Clubs Are Circling the Colombian Stopper
Piero Hincapié's rise has turned him into one of the most discussed defenders on the market, with top clubs weighing fee, fit, and competition for minutes.
Three Die in Mexico as World Cup Celebrations Spill Into the Streets
Three people died and several were injured in Mexico during street celebrations after El Tri advanced at the 2026 World Cup, with crowds flooding thoroughfares across the country.
Cape Verde vs Argentina: The Small Island Nation Stands Between Messi and History
Cape Verde reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time and now face Lionel Messi's Argentina in a Round of 32 David vs Goliath showdown.
When Is Mexico's Next Game? Dates, Opponents and What El Tri Need Next
Mexico's schedule is under the microscope after their latest result. Here is what comes next for El Tri and what the camp must fix before kickoff.
Mexico vs Ecuador: El Tri Face a La Tri Side That Refuses to Fold
Mexico meet Ecuador in a high-stakes international clash as both squads chase momentum before the next round of regional and World Cup business.
England vs DR Congo: Harry Kane's Record Three Lions Meet the Leopards in Atlanta
England top Group L and a new all-time scorer to face a DR Congo side chasing more World Cup history in the 2026 Round of 32 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
World Cup 2026 Round of 16: The Bracket Is Set, and Chaos Is Already In It
Germany are out, Morocco dumped the Netherlands, and a fixed bracket means Brazil vs Norway and Paraguay vs France are locked into the road to the MetLife final on July 19.
Barcelona's squad depth: the back-to-back champions built on a financial tightrope
How Barcelona turned a La Masia core, a few shrewd loans and a stretched salary budget into consecutive La Liga titles, and where the squad still looks vulnerable.
Morocco Stun Netherlands on Penalties to Reach the World Cup Last 16
Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey, with Issa Diop's stoppage-time equalizer and Yassine Bounou's nerve sending the Atlas Lions through.
Messi's Six Goals Carry Argentina to No. 2 and a New World Cup Record
Lionel Messi scored six times in Group J, including a hat-trick against Algeria, to reach 19 career World Cup goals and lift defending champions Argentina to second in the post-group-stage power rankings.
Haaland's 86th-Minute Strike Sinks Brave Côte d'Ivoire and Sends Norway to the Last 16
Norway edged Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32, with Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland scoring and Amad Diallo nearly forcing a famous Ivorian comeback.
France Top the 2026 World Cup Power Rankings as Mbappe Hunts a Crown
ESPN's post-group-stage panel rank France No. 1 with 16 of 20 first-place votes after a perfect group and a 3-0 win over Sweden, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise driving the favourites.
Paraguay Knock Germany Out: The Biggest Shock of World Cup 2026
Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough, dumping Julian Nagelsmann's side out in the Round of 32 in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
Serena Williams Is Back at Wimbledon, and Centre Court Roared Her In
At 44, Serena Williams returned to Wimbledon as a wildcard after four years away, drawing a Centre Court ovation and facing rising Australian Maya Joint in the first round.
Summer 2026 transfer window: a World Cup, Mourinho's Madrid and the PSR squeeze
The first summer window to run straight through a World Cup is already reshaping Europe's elite - from Mourinho's free-transfer Real Madrid to Barcelona's £69m bet on Anthony Gordon and the Premier League's sell-to-buy churn.
France vs Sweden: Les Bleus Face a Dangerous Round of 32 Test at MetLife Stadium
France carry a perfect group record into a World Cup Round of 32 tie with Sweden, where Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé meet the speed of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.
Ronaldo Makes History: First Man to Score at Six World Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo's 6th-minute opener in Portugal's 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan made him the first player ever to score at six different World Cups, breaking clear of Lionel Messi.