As the semi-finals of the World Cup 2026 draw near, the rankings reflect the intense competition among the top teams. France continues to assert its dominance, showcasing the experience and talent that have made them a formidable force in the tournament.
1) France (No Change)
Didier Deschamps remains unfazed by any defensive strategy opponents might employ. The fear that Les Bleus instill in their rivals is palpable, and they are capitalizing on this advantage. While teams may manage to contain France for stretches, the match lasts too long to keep Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé at bay. Against Morocco, their resilience was tested, but Mbappé conjured the brilliance that has fueled their journey, adding an assist to his goal. In a tournament largely defined by individual talent, France possesses the best of the best.
2) Spain (No Change)
Football often boils down to a few key moments, and Mikel Merino provided just that with a crucial late goal against Belgium. Merino had only been on the pitch for a brief moment when he found himself perfectly positioned to score. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal continues to develop, readying himself for a challenge against Mbappé. La Roja has faced tougher tests in recent matches, adapting to the rising quality of their opponents and growing in confidence. “If anyone should be afraid it should be [France] – we knocked them out of the Euros,” Lamine Yamal asserted. “It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count.”
3) England (+1)
The sweltering Miami heat posed challenges for England during their clash with Norway, leaving coach Thomas Tuchel frustrated with the team’s performance. Jude Bellingham emerged as a key player, shifting the game’s momentum when his teammates struggled. He is stepping up as England’s leader, driving the team into the semi-finals. Tuchel’s tactical changes raised eyebrows, especially when they moved Bellingham away from his preferred position. It is evident that Bellingham must remain close to Harry Kane to maximize England’s chances of success.
4) Argentina (-1)
As expected, Lionel Messi utilized his full skill set to carve through a resolute defense, yet it was contributions from other players that ultimately made the difference. Julián Alvarez’s first goal of the tournament will undoubtedly boost his confidence, particularly given the spectacular nature of the strike. Lionel Scaloni’s squad has found every knockout match to be a struggle, as the world champions have yet to find a consistent rhythm across 90 minutes. They attempted to manage the game against Switzerland after an early lead, but such tactics are risky as they approach the semi-finals. Midfielder Leandro Paredes noted, “It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count.”
5) Belgium (+2)
Belgium faced disappointment following an injury to Thibaut Courtois during their match against Spain, leading to a costly mistake from Senne Lammens that resulted in defeat. Lammens, who had not played a competitive match since May, struggled to find his rhythm, evident when he mishandled a long-range shot that Merino pounced on to score. Despite this setback, Belgium had matched Spain for extended periods, with Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne performing well. However, elite teams capitalize on even the slightest errors.
6) Switzerland (+2)
The pivotal moment in their match against Argentina came when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for diving, following a VAR review. At that point, the score was even, but the Swiss soon found themselves on the defensive. In extra time, they struggled to maintain their composure with ten men. Before the red card, Murat Yakin’s team had executed their game plan well, leaving them to depart the US with regrets about what might have been.
7) Norway (-1)
Norway’s chances were significantly hampered by their inability to involve Erling Haaland throughout their match against England. They needed a fortunate goal from Andreas Schjelderup just to stay competitive. Haaland’s performance was so lacking that coach Ståle Solbakken opted to substitute him during the second half of extra time. The absence of a backup strategy became apparent, and it is challenging to be among the top four teams in the world without tactical diversity.
8) Morocco (-3)
Morocco appeared to have conceded defeat even before their match against France began. Their approach was pragmatic, bordering on dull, showing little interest in attacking. With only one shot on target throughout the game, Morocco’s ambition was clear. Their strategy seemed focused on defense, which only delayed the inevitable as Mbappé ultimately decided the match.
- The rankings were compiled by a panel of World Cup writers and editors, who ranked the quarter-final teams from best to worst based on an average of the votes cast.
- World Cup 2026
- France
- Spain
- Argentina
- England
- Belgium
- Switzerland
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