The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now nearly two weeks old, and football fans around the world have already witnessed plenty of excitement, goals and surprises.

With matches taking place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament has delivered thrilling performances from football’s biggest stars and inspiring displays from underdogs aiming to make history.

From the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé to the explosive debut of Erling Haaland and another record-breaking milestone for Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Cup has already produced countless memorable moments.

After the completion of two group-stage matches for every team, football experts have updated their World Cup Power Rankings to determine which nations look like genuine title contenders and which still have work to do.

France Remain the Team to Beat

1. France (No Change)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 3
• Group Results:
  • Beat Senegal 2-0
  • Beat Iraq 3-0
• Next Match: Norway in Boston

France continue to sit comfortably at the top of the World Cup Power Rankings. The 2022 runners-up have looked exceptional so far, winning both matches convincingly without conceding a goal.

The French side has been led by captain Kylian Mbappé, who has already scored four goals in just two games. Against Iraq, the Real Madrid superstar produced another masterclass, scoring twice and making his 100th appearance for France even more memorable.

One goal highlighted his incredible finishing ability from outside the penalty area, while his second demonstrated his growing work ethic by pressing defenders and capitalising on an error.

Coach Didier Deschamps has an incredibly talented squad, and France currently appear to be the most complete team in the tournament.

Why France Are No. 1

• Two wins from two games
• No goals conceded
• Four goals from Mbappé
• Strong squad depth and experience
• Excellent balance in attack and defence

Argentina Move Up to Second

2. Argentina (Up 1)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 1
• Group Results:
  • Beat Algeria 3-0
  • Beat Austria 2-0
• Next Match: Jordan in Dallas

Defending world champions Argentina are beginning to look increasingly dangerous.

The biggest reason is simple: Lionel Messi.

The legendary forward has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far. He also broke the men’s World Cup goals record before extending it to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history across both men’s and women’s competitions.

Messi even missed an early penalty against Austria, yet still finished with another remarkable performance.

Argentina have won both matches without conceding and now look capable of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

Why Argentina Are Rising

• Perfect defensive record
• Five goals from Messi
• Huge experience in knockout football
• Confidence of reigning champions

Spain Return to Their Best

3. Spain (Up 1)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 2
• Group Results:
  • Drew 0-0 with Cape Verde
  • Beat Saudi Arabia 4-0
• Next Match: Uruguay in Guadalajara

Spain’s opening draw against Cape Verde raised some questions, but their impressive victory over Saudi Arabia reminded everyone why they entered the tournament among the favourites.

Young superstar Lamine Yamal made a huge difference after returning to the starting line-up.

Yamal scored the opening goal and caused endless problems for the Saudi defence before being substituted at half-time.

Meanwhile, Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in quick succession and showed why he remains Spain’s preferred centre-forward.

Why Spain Are Contenders

• Strong attacking football
• Lamine Yamal’s creativity
• Good squad chemistry
• Favourable potential knockout path

England Slip Down the Rankings

4. England (Down 2)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 4
• Group Results:
  • Beat Croatia 4-2
  • Drew 0-0 with Ghana
• Next Match: Panama in New York/New Jersey

England’s excellent opening win over Croatia suggested they could challenge for the trophy.

However, their disappointing draw against Ghana has caused concern.

Despite controlling nearly 70 per cent of possession and producing 19 shots, England could not find the breakthrough. Only three attempts were on target.

Captain Harry Kane missed several good opportunities, while substitute Nico O’Reilly struck the crossbar.

Coach Thomas Tuchel struggled to find solutions against Ghana’s organised defence.

England’s Main Problems

• Too much possession without quality chances
• Lack of creativity in midfield
• Poor finishing
• Limited tactical flexibility

England still have enough quality to progress, but they need improvement if they hope to challenge for the title.

Germany Continue Winning

5. Germany (No Change)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 10
• Group Results:
  • Beat Curaçao 7-1
  • Beat Ivory Coast 2-1
• Next Match: Ecuador

Germany have quietly become one of the tournament’s most effective teams.

They have scored nine goals in two matches and remain unbeaten.

However, there are concerns about their defence, especially after losing defender Nico Schlotterbeck to an ankle injury for the remainder of the competition.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann will hope his team can continue winning while becoming more defensively solid.

Brazil’s Star Players Deliver

6. Brazil (No Change)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 6
• Group Results:
  • Drew with Morocco 1-1
  • Beat Haiti 3-0
• Next Match: Scotland in Miami

Brazil are doing exactly what great teams do in the group stage.

Their stars are producing the moments needed to win games.

Vinícius Júnior has already scored twice and provided an assist, while Matheus Cunha has also netted twice.

The experienced trio of Casemiro, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães are providing leadership and defensive stability.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti appears to have found the perfect balance in his squad.

Portugal Find Their Rhythm

8. Portugal (Up 2)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 5
• Group Results:
  • Drew with DR Congo 1-1
  • Beat Uzbekistan 5-0
• Next Match: Colombia in Miami

Portugal finally produced the kind of performance many expected.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan, becoming the first male player to score in six different World Cups.

The goals also ended his personal ten-game drought in major international tournaments.

Portugal played with pace, purpose and confidence.

If they maintain this level, they could become genuine contenders.

Norway Become the Tournament’s Surprise Package

9. Norway (Up 2)

• Official FIFA Ranking: No. 31
• Group Results:
  • Beat Iraq 4-1
  • Beat Senegal 3-2
• Next Match: France in Boston

Norway are one of the stories of the tournament.

Erling Haaland has scored four goals in his first-ever World Cup and looks perfectly suited to the biggest stage.

However, defensive weaknesses remain a concern.

Their upcoming clash with France could determine whether Norway are dark horses or serious title contenders.

Other Teams Impressing

10. Morocco

• Drew with Brazil
• Beat Scotland
• Strong defensive organisation

11. United States

• Beat Paraguay
• Beat Australia
• Playing with confidence despite injury concerns surrounding Christian Pulisic.

12. Japan

• Drew with Netherlands
• Beat Tunisia 4-0
• One of the tournament’s most exciting and unpredictable sides.

13. Mexico

• Beat South Africa
• Beat South Korea
• Winning despite concerns about attacking creativity.

14. Colombia

• Beat Uzbekistan
• Beat DR Congo
• Yet to fully convince despite progressing comfortably.

15. Ivory Coast

• Beat Ecuador
• Lost narrowly to Germany
• New entry into the Top 15 rankings and could prove dangerous in the knockout rounds.

Biggest Surprise: Cape Verde’s Dream Continues

One of the tournament’s most inspiring stories has been Cape Verde.

Playing in their first-ever World Cup, they have already earned draws against world No. 1 Spain and Uruguay and still have a chance of reaching the Round of 32.

Their performances show once again why the World Cup remains football’s greatest competition.

World Cup 2026 Power Rankings After Two Matches

Final Thoughts

After two matches, France remain the favourites to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. However, Argentina’s brilliance, Spain’s resurgence and the growing confidence of teams such as Portugal and Norway mean the race for football’s biggest prize is wide open.

With the group stage approaching its conclusion and the knockout rounds on the horizon, every match now carries enormous significance. If the opening weeks are anything to go by, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining tournaments in football history.

Sources: FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament statistics, official FIFA rankings, and reports from international football journalists covering matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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