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.
Knockout Stage
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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.
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.