ESPN FC Ranks France No. 1 Among 15 World Cup Teams as Round of 32 Begins
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 28
ESPN FC Ranks France No. 1 Among 15 World Cup Teams as Round of 32 Begins
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 28
Summary
France led ESPN FC’s post-group-stage Power Rankings with 16 of 20 first-place votes after one of only three perfect 3-0 records, alongside Argentina and Mexico.
Argentina stayed second and Spain third as the 48-team field narrowed to 32, with voting completed before Sunday’s opener between Canada and South Africa in Los Angeles.
Brazil climbed one spot to fifth, Morocco rose two to eighth and Colombia jumped five to ninth, while Germany slipped to sixth and Portugal fell to 10th.
Lionel Messi’s 6 goals top the tournament, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Vinícius Júnior and Erling Haaland on 4 each heading into the knockout stage.
The rankings frame a group stage marked by surprises, including Cape Verde reaching the knockouts in its World Cup debut and Congo DR advancing to face England.
With superstars shining but key players injured, which top-ranked team is most likely to suffer a stunning knockout-stage collapse?
With unprecedented travel across three countries, will logistical fatigue, not tactics, ultimately decide the 2026 World Cup champion?
As all three hosts thrive on home soil, could this be the first World Cup since 1998 to be won by a host nation?
France Tops World Rankings After Dominant Group Stage: 2026 World Cup Squad, Stars, and Road Ahead
Overview
As the 2026 World Cup moved from the group stage to the Round of 32, France rose to World No. 1 after a flawless group campaign. A panel of 20 global reporters ranked France at the top, reflecting their dominant performance. France achieved a perfect record with three decisive wins: a 2-0 victory over Senegal, a 3-0 win against Iraq, and a commanding 4-1 triumph over Norway. This series of results showcased both their strong attack and solid defense, making France the leading favorite as the tournament enters its knockout phase.