Power ranking all 48 World Cup teams from worst to best after two matches

We are two-thirds of the way through the 2026 World Cup group stage, with the 48 teams in the expanded field having played two matches each.

There's still one more game in each group for every team, we're beginning to get a feeling of which teams are for real and which ones are pretenders. So, we've once again revised our full rankings of every World Cup team, previously updated after each team had played once.

The title favorites largely remain the same, with the biggest stars scoring and shining on the biggest stage. Other teams are already eliminated, knowing they're playing for little more than national pride on the final matchday.

Others have hope to move on, especially since many third-place teams are qualifying for the first time at this tournament. Then, anything can happen in the round of 32. First, though, teams are pushing to get to that point.

The group phase may still close with a few surprises. Let's look at the full rankings with tiers ranging from "about to head home" to our true title contenders:

World Cup teams that are just happy to be here ... and about to head home

(Team movement in parentheses)

48. Tunisia (=)

Turns out the coach wasn't the only issue. Tunisia fired its manager after losing 5-1 in the opener, but new boss Herve Renard could muster only a 4-0 loss to Japan.

47. Jordan (-1)

There were signs of life as Jordan took the lead against Algeria, but they couldn't hold that lead. Now, their last chance for a point in this debut World Cup is against ... Argentina.

46. Iraq (-2)

Iraq may be bad or may have just been drawn into a brutal group, so far having fallen victim to Norway and France. Few defenses in the world could hold Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in check, and Iraq's is not one of them.

45. Panama (-2)

The performances haven't been bad for Panama, but the finishing isn't there. Now, the Central Americans have to close out their tournament against England.

44. Curacao (+3)

What a performance from the smallest country ever to play in a World Cup. Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room denied everything Ecuador threw at him as Curacao earned a first-ever World Cup point in a draw with Ecuador. They go into the final day not eliminated.

43. Qatar (-2)

This is the Qatar we expected. After the shock draw with Switzerland, Qatar was smashed by Canada and had multiple players sent off. It's clinging to life in this tournament.

42. Haiti (-2)

The group always looked tough for Les Grenadiers, and while they weren't played off the pitch by Brazil it was never really a contest. The last chance comes against Morocco. Will talisman Duckens Nazon get minutes?

41. South Africa (+4)

An early Czechia goal made it seem like it'd be more of the same from South Africa's poor opener, but Bafana Bafana rallied, found a penalty and go into the final day still alive.

World Cup teams fighting to get out of group play (or eliminated after good fight)

40. Uzbekistan (-6)

After a decent showing against Colombia, Uzbekistan simply didn't answer the bell against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, falling 5-0 and putting themselves in a perilous position against what looks like a well-drilled DR Congo side on the last day.

39. New Zealand (-1)

Chris Wood and Co. hung tough for nearly an hour against Egypt and had the lead, but then the floodgates opened. The group is still wide open, but Friday's tilt with Belgium won't be easy.

38. Saudi Arabia (-3)

Spain took some of its frustration out on Saudi Arabia in a 4-0 thrashing. Plus, some luster came off the Falcons' draw with Uruguay as the South American team's struggles continued.

37. Czechia (+3)

Moving up more because of what others haven't done than what they have, Czechia has mucked up both group matches so far and come away with one point. There may be a chance to do more against a rotated Mexico squad.

36. Turkey (-8)

Yes, Turkey has taken a lot of shots in its two losses so far this tournament, but has it taken a lot of good shots? The lack of a traditional central forward has hurt this team, and it's on the plane after the finale with the U.S. because of it.

35. Paraguay (+8)

An early goal against Turkey was the dream scenario for Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro, who loves to set his teams' defensive lines and dare teams to break through. The U.S. did, but Turkey couldn't and Paraguay bounced back well.

34. Bosnia & Herzegovina (-2)

Things got out of hand late for the Bosnians in a 4-1 loss to Switzerland, but after that opening draw with Canada, all they need to do to have their best-ever World Cup is beat a struggling Qatar.

33. Cape Verde (+4)

The fairy tale continues for the Blue Sharks, and it may roll all the way into the round of 32 after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Uruguay put them in position to contend for second in the group.

32. DR Congo (-1)

While DR Congo fell to Colombia, it once again showed the type of team defending that makes it a tough out for even some of the most dynamic attacking teams.

31. Scotland (-1)

Even after falling to Morocco, the path is there for Scotland to get into the next round: Avoid defeat against Brazil - or don't lose by too many goals.

30. Uruguay (-7)

Uhh, Uruguay? You guys good? Marcelo Bielsa's side is in real danger of crashing out of the World Cup after a pair of elementary errors allowed Cape Verde to secure a point against the South Americans. Now, they must get something against Spain.

29. Algeria (+6)

Algeria's rally past Jordan showed that this team is much better than it could show against Messi and Argentina in the opener, and sets up a compelling final-day clash with Austria.

World Cup teams that could make some noise in knockout rounds - once they get there

28. Sweden (-3)

Uh oh. Is Sweden the team it showed during qualification, when it fell to Norway and other European rivals? Or can it recapture the attacking momentum it showed in that big win over Tunisia? It'll be tough against a disciplined Japan team.

27. Iran (+6)

While they couldn't capitalize on a Belgium red card, Iran still showed it is a factor in this wide-open group, defending well. Who helps Mehdi Taremi in attack?

26. Australia (-2)

Though the U.S. was able to suss out Australia's game plan and counter-act it, Australia is still sitting in a good position, controlling its destiny when it comes to securing second place in the group.

25. Ecuador (-7)

Ecuador looked like a strong dark horse in the distance, but is it just a mini pony? The questions about the finishing from Enner Valencia and other forwards before the tournament have, unfortunately, not been answered. Ecuador can't find the back of the net, and its campaign is at risk because of it after a 0-0 draw with Curacao.

24. Ghana (+3)

Carlos Queiroz seemed like such an odd fit for this team, yet the conservative manager has remade the team in his image and earned a draw with England because of it.

23. South Korea (-3)

While other stars score (even belatedly), we're yet to see it from Son Heung-min, and it clearly has affected Korea's performances. The final group game is a must-win against a South Africa team it should beat, but the showings so far haven't dazzled.

22. Austria (-1)

Austria slips a place, but the performance against Argentina showed that its style can work against all but the very top teams. A little attacking punch would go a long way.

21. Egypt (+8)

After the attack woke up in the last half-hour against New Zealand, the top place in the group is within reach. Mo Salah scoring keeps the good vibes rolling, too.

20. Canada (+6)

With the pressure of the first-ever World Cup point and win out of the way, Canada is free to play its style of soccer to try to get a group victory and set itself up well for a first-ever knockout win. Ismael Kone's absence hurts, but it can be overcome.

19. Senegal (-3)

This still feels like a good team, but you have to be a great team to get results against France and Norway. Senegal couldn't do it, and its World Cup fate may depend on how many goals it can put past Iraq.

World Cup dark horses

18. Switzerland (+4)

After a slow start against Bosnia, it was suddenly an attacking explosion for Switzerland with four goals in the final 16 minutes. Perhaps it's time for Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas to take their place in the starting XI.

17. Croatia (+2)

Panama didn't make it easy on Croatia, but the veteran squad eventually found a way to bounce back from the tournament-opening defeat to England in a 1-0 win.

16. Colombia (=)

Whether it's James Rodriguez or Juanfer Quintero, Colombia has creative players, but even then couldn't break down DR Congo until late. The Portugal game will have a different vibe.

15. Belgium (-2)

Belgium clearly missed Jeremy Doku, who didn't play in a scoreless draw with Iran because of illness. But this team has too many other strong attackers to be sitting on one goal and two points after two games.

14. Ivory Coast (+3)

It's a big jump to make in the power rankings after a defeat, but the Elephants gave Germany everything it could handle and fell just short of pulling off the upset in a thriller.

13. Japan (+2)

Japan was not tested by Tunisia, rolling past the North Africans 4-0 in a dominant effort. Sweden will be tougher, but the attack is looking good, and team shape is never a worry under manager Hajime Moriyasu.

12. Morocco (+2)

Though it felt like Morocco slipped into complacency after Ismael Saibari's early goal against Scotland, there's a path to win the group - and teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi continues to look sensational.

11. Mexico (=)

They all count, even if they're ugly. Luis Romo's goal in a 1-0 win over Korea was fortunate. The performance was gritty. But Mexico won the group and will stay in Mexico City for the start of knockout play. Job done.

10. Portugal (=)

Ronaldo roared back with a pair of goals in a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan. The team played better with Joao Felix on the wing. There my be something here that will allow Portugal to make the deep run expected before the tournament. Next up, it's a marquee matchup against Colombia.

9. Norway (=)

Another day at the office for Erling Haaland, who put two goals past a staunch Senegal defense in a 3-2 win. Those two goals, though, will make Norway think and show why they're not in the top five — at least, not yet.

8. United States (=)

U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino set up his team just right to get a comfortable win over Australia, winning the group and allowing the Americans a mental break - and perhaps a physical one for players carrying knocks - in the group finalie.

World Cup contenders

7. Brazil (=)

Brazil keeps hanging around in this zone. The victory over Haiti was expected, but bright individual performances were still good to see after the tournament opened with a draw against Morocco.

6. Netherlands (=)

After a wake-up call in a draw against Japan, the Netherlands showed growth both up top, where Brian Brobbey may be a long-term solution as a center forward, and at the back in a 5-1 beatdown of Sweden.

5. England (-2)

The draw with Ghana is exactly the type of game England fans were worried about before the tournament. It won't matter too much now, but a day like that in the round of 32 or round of 16, and the Three Lions will be headed home far earlier than expected.

4. Germany (+1)

Could the moments of adversity against Ivory Coast that saw Deniz Undav become the hero serve Germany later in the tournament? Probably so, but losing defender Nico Schlotterbeck for the tournament is a big blow.

3. Spain (+1)

It looked like vindication for those who said not to panic after the opening-day draw with Cape Verde. A healthy Lamine Yamal started the scoring early, and Spain looked like a title contender in its 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

2. Argentina (=)

Argentina didn't have its best day against Austria, with Lionel Messi missing a penalty (but then scoring twice), Cuti Romero going off with a knock and several players sloppy with their passing. The fact that they still rolled to a comfortable 2-0 win should terrify the rest of the field.

1. France (=)

Kylian Mbappe keeps finding the back of the net, and France keeps smashing past opponents. The group finale against Norway should be good for the neutral and a good barometer for whether or not France can keep winning like this as the competition gets stiffer.