{"id":16217,"date":"2026-06-26T04:06:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16217"},"modified":"2026-06-26T04:21:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:51:03","slug":"fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Power Rankings \u2014 Update 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2122 group stage.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#1_France\" >1. France<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#2_Argentina\" >2. Argentina<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#3_Spain\" >3. Spain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#4_Germany\" >4. Germany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#5_England\" >5. England<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#6_Morocco\" >6. Morocco<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#7_Netherlands\" >7. Netherlands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#8_Brazil\" >8. Brazil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#9_Portugal\" >9. Portugal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/#10_Japan\" >10. Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Follow every twist and turn of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"> FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 <\/a>live on ZEE 5 \u2014 stream every match in India as it happens.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_France\"><\/span><strong>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/france\/france-squad\">France<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Argentina\"><\/span><strong>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/argentina\/argentina-squad\">Argentina<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Spain\"><\/span><strong>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/spain\/spain-squad\">Spain<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reigning European champions \u2014 they defeated England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin \u2014 arrive in North America as one of the tournament&#8217;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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Germany\"><\/span><strong>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/germany\/germany-squad\">Germany<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Germany against Cura\u00e7ao in MD1 was a statement \u2014 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 \u2014 scoring in both matches with limited minutes on the pitch. He decided Germany&#8217;s second game almost single-handedly. The key question nobody has answered: how potent is this Germany attack against France or Spain rather than Cura\u00e7ao and Ivory Coast? MD3 and beyond will tell us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_England\"><\/span><strong>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/england\/england-squad\">England<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">England&#8217;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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch France, Portugal, Argentina and all your favourite teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live on ZEE 5 \u2014 subscribe with the Rs. 799 quarterly plan or the Rs. 1,699 annual subscription.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Morocco\"><\/span><strong>6. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/morocco\/morocco-squad\">Morocco<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morocco&#8217;s opening 15 minutes against Brazil may have been the best passage of football played by any team at this FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122. Their cohesion, their passing tempo, and their collective game intelligence \u2014 all of it on full display against one of the tournament&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Netherlands\"><\/span><strong>7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/netherlands\/netherlands-squad\">Netherlands<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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&#8217;s most dangerous forwards, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gy\u00f6keres, scored five goals themselves against Tunisia in MD1, and were demolished by a Dutch side that put five past them. That combination \u2014 attacking output and defensive organisation against genuine quality \u2014 is the hallmark of a dangerous tournament team. Whoever underestimates the Netherlands in the knockouts will pay for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Brazil\"><\/span><strong>8. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/brazil\/brazil-squad\">Brazil<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brazil are not at their best, and that much is clear. Raphinha is out. Neymar&#8217;s availability and impact remain uncertain. Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior 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 \u2014 pressing with intelligence, denying space between the lines, cutting off Brazil&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Portugal\"><\/span><strong>9. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/portugal\/portugal-squad\">Portugal<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 \u2014 a collective display that looked like a team that had suddenly found its rhythm again. Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Le\u00e3o, Jo\u00e3o F\u00e9lix: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Japan\"><\/span><strong>10. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/japan\/japan-squad\">Japan<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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&#8217;s easy route to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch every team at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\">ZEE5 FIFA Subscription<\/a>\u2014 all 104 matches, all 12 host cities, streamed live in India.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2122 group stage. Follow every twist and turn of the FIFA World [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3305],"class_list":["post-16217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-power-rankings"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Power Rankings \u2014 Update 1 - ZEE5 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bosnia face Qatar in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 clash, with both sides fighting to keep knockout hopes alive in Group B.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-power-rankings-update-1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Power Rankings \u2014 Update 1 - 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