As the World Cup 2026 semi-finals draw near, the latest power rankings reflect the evolving dynamics among the top teams. France continues to assert its dominance, while Spain, England, and Argentina also position themselves strongly in the race for the championship.
1) France (no change from previous rankings)
Didier Deschamps has encountered every challenge imaginable and remains unfazed by even the most defensive tactics. It’s evident that opponents have a healthy respect for Les Bleus, a sentiment they are exploiting to their advantage. While teams manage to contain France for extended periods, the match length proves challenging to stifle Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé completely. In their contest against Morocco, patience was key for an hour, but Mbappé ultimately showcased his ability, contributing both a spectacular goal and an assist. In a tournament where individual brilliance stands out, France boasts some of the most formidable talents.
2) Spain (no change)
The essence of football is straightforward – nearly 90 minutes of play followed by Mikel Merino’s timely winner. The Arsenal midfielder made his impact felt just 115 seconds after stepping onto the field during the match against Belgium. With substitutes consistently stepping up, Lamine Yamal is gaining momentum, setting the stage for a showdown with Mbappé. La Roja has faced tougher challenges than before, but with each round, their confidence swells. As Yamal stated, “If anyone should be afraid it should be [France] – we knocked them out of the Euros,”
3) England (+1)
The sweltering Miami heat took a toll on England during their encounter with Norway, causing Thomas Tuchel to express frustration over his team’s performance. Jude Bellingham emerged as a key player, shifting the game’s momentum when his teammates struggled. He has firmly established himself as England’s pivotal figure, propelling the team into the semi-finals. Tuchel’s substitutions sparked interest as player roles shifted, particularly moving Bellingham away from his ideal position. To maximize their chances of reaching the final, it’s clear that the No 10 must stay close to Harry Kane.
4) Argentina (-1)
The familiar narrative unfolded as Lionel Messi employed his extensive skillset to navigate a resilient defense, but it was ultimately others who made the decisive impact. Julián Alvarez’s first goal of the tournament is bound to boost his confidence, especially given the spectacular nature of his strike. Every knockout match has posed a challenge for Lionel Scaloni’s squad, as the world champions struggled to find a consistent rhythm over the full 90 minutes. They attempted to manage the game against Switzerland after an early goal, but such a tactic could prove perilous in the semi-finals. Midfielder Leandro Paredes encapsulated the sentiment.
“It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count.”
5) Belgium (+2)
Belgium found themselves lamenting the absence of Thibaut Courtois in their match against Spain, which led to Senne Lammens making a crucial error that resulted in defeat. Lammens, lacking competitive match fitness since May, struggled, failing to handle a long-range shot and allowing the rebound to be converted by Merino. Despite having matched Spain for significant periods, Belgium’s mistakes were costly, especially with Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne shining.
6) Switzerland (+2)
The turning point in Switzerland’s match against Argentina was Breel Embolo’s dismissal after receiving a second yellow card for diving, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review. At that moment, the score was tied, but the Swiss quickly found themselves on the back foot. In extra time, they were unable to maintain their composure with only ten players. Before the ejection, Murat Yakin’s team executed their tactics effectively and will leave the U.S. regretting what could have been.
7) Norway (-1)
The inability to involve Erling Haaland for most of the match against England diminished Norway’s offensive threat, necessitating a fortunate goal from Andreas Schjelderup to put them back in the game. Haaland’s struggles were so severe that Ståle Solbakken opted to substitute him during the second half of extra time. The lack of an alternative strategy was apparent, and it is challenging to be among the top four teams globally without tactical variety.
8) Morocco (-3)
Morocco appeared to accept defeat even before their match against France commenced. Their approach was pragmatic yet unexciting, showing little desire to engage offensively. With only a single shot on target, Morocco’s ambitions were clear, and it became inevitable that their defense would be prioritized over attack. Such a strategy, though well-drilled, could only delay Mbappé from sealing the match, which ultimately occurred.
- Rankings were compiled by a panel of World Cup writers and editors, who evaluated the teams in the quarter-finals from best to worst. The final rankings reflect the average of the votes cast.
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