Two matchdays in, the field is starting to take shape. Some favourites have met expectations. Others have shown cracks that will matter when the knockout rounds arrive. This is how the tournament looks after the opening two rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage.
Follow every twist and turn of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live on ZEE 5 — stream every match in India as it happens.
1. France
The argument for France at the top is simple: no other team at this tournament has their depth. Every position in the starting eleven is occupied by a player at the peak of their powers, each dominating that role at club level. There are no weak links. No passengers. No positional compromises. The coordination between the lines is exceptional. If this France side plays to their ceiling, nobody stops them.
2. Argentina
The reigning champions are through with six points, and Lionel Messi has just broken the all-time World Cup scoring record with 18 goals across six tournaments. On paper, everything is fine. Look a little closer, though, and questions remain. The goals have come against Algeria and Austria. Neither is an elite defensive opponent. Messi is the only player to have scored in both matches. What we still do not know is how Argentina function when the opposition has a genuinely world-class defensive structure. That question will be answered in the knockouts.
3. Spain
The reigning European champions — they defeated England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin — arrive in North America as one of the tournament’s most watchable sides. Their 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia was a reminder of just how devastating Spain can be when their attacking unit clicks. The opening draw against Cape Verde remains a concern. That result raised genuine questions about Spain’s consistency against compact, defensive-minded opponents. But tournaments are not won in the group stage. The Saudi Arabia performance suggested Spain know how to put those slip-ups behind them quickly.
4. Germany
Germany against Curaçao in MD1 was a statement — fluid, purposeful, clinical, a team that had rediscovered what it means to play like Germany. The Ivory Coast match was more complicated. They trailed for long stretches. They were able to come back and win off the brace scored by Deniz Undav. He has been nothing short of phenomenal — scoring in both matches with limited minutes on the pitch. He decided Germany’s second game almost single-handedly. The key question nobody has answered: how potent is this Germany attack against France or Spain rather than Curaçao and Ivory Coast? MD3 and beyond will tell us.
5. England
England’s win against Croatia was genuinely impressive. Their attack moved with clarity and directness, and they showed something many stronger-looking sides had failed to do at this tournament: how to properly break down an organised opponent. But the draw against Ghana told a very different story. Against a side sitting deep and defending in numbers, England’s attacking quality evaporated. Zero shots on target in the first half. For a team with Rice and Bellingham in midfield, the inability to unlock a compact defensive block is a concern that cannot be dismissed. The Kane miss compounded it. England have the tools. The question is whether they can consistently use them against teams who refuse to come out.
Watch France, Portugal, Argentina and all your favourite teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live on ZEE 5 — subscribe with the Rs. 799 quarterly plan or the Rs. 1,699 annual subscription.
6. Morocco
Morocco’s opening 15 minutes against Brazil may have been the best passage of football played by any team at this FIFA World Cup 2026™. Their cohesion, their passing tempo, and their collective game intelligence — all of it on full display against one of the tournament’s most storied nations. This was not a performance against a minnow. This was Morocco imposing their style on Brazil at a World Cup. The semifinal run at Qatar 2022 was not a fluke. This team is organised, tactically mature, and entirely comfortable on the biggest stage. They will go deep.
7. Netherlands
The draw against Japan raised eyebrows. The 5-1 demolition of Sweden answered them. Netherlands are not a side to be dismissed. Sweden carried two of Europe’s most dangerous forwards, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, scored five goals themselves against Tunisia in MD1, and were demolished by a Dutch side that put five past them. That combination — attacking output and defensive organisation against genuine quality — is the hallmark of a dangerous tournament team. Whoever underestimates the Netherlands in the knockouts will pay for it.
8. Brazil
Brazil are not at their best, and that much is clear. Raphinha is out. Neymar’s availability and impact remain uncertain. Vinícius Júnior is having an excellent tournament and carrying much of the attacking burden. The real problem is the midfield. Morocco showed the watching world exactly how to exploit it — pressing with intelligence, denying space between the lines, cutting off Brazil’s vertical passing channels. The encouraging news is that Brazil are improving with each match. They have the individual quality to paper over structural cracks, at least for now. But the cracks are visible.
9. Portugal
Portugal were not in this conversation after their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. Their defensive vulnerabilities were real, their cohesion was questionable, and the critics were sharpening their knives. Then came the 5-0 against Uzbekistan — a collective display that looked like a team that had suddenly found its rhythm again. Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, João Félix: when this group fires in coordination, they are as dangerous as anyone in the draw. Their next match against Colombia will be a genuine test of whether the Uzbekistan performance represented a turning point or simply a favourable fixture. We will know more soon.
10. Japan
Japan are a serious dark horse, and they are not getting nearly enough credit for it. The draw against the Netherlands looks considerably better now that we have seen what the Netherlands did to Sweden. Japan then beat Tunisia 4-0 with a performance that was measured, controlled, and efficient. They play possession football intelligently. They are dangerous from set pieces. They function as a genuine unit rather than a collection of individuals. This is a complete, balanced team. They will not be anyone’s easy route to the quarterfinals.
Watch every team at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live on ZEE5 FIFA Subscription— all 104 matches, all 12 host cities, streamed live in India.
Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.