📈 World Cup Power Rankings: German goal-fest and Messi magic

The 2026 World Cup’s opening matches are complete, and it’s time to introduce the tournament’s Power Rankings. After each match day, we’ll rank the competing teams based on rolling performances and results.

10. Netherlands

The Dutch drew with Japan in their entertaining opener, but there was a lot to like about the Oranje. Ronald Koeman’s men capitalised on their height advantage to shine at set pieces, often the trademark of successful tournament teams. A solid start.

9. Australia

Australia’s smash-and-grab win against Turkey was one of the upsets of the round, as the Socceroos stunned Vincenzo Montella’s men.

The Aussies had just 28% of the ball and four shots on target, but claimed a 2-0 scalp to secure one of the country’s greatest, if not the greatest, World Cup wins.

The Socceroos kick off their World Cup campaign with a huge statement victory over Türkiye pic.twitter.com/EsbCgOuYQn

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 14, 2026

8. Morocco

Morocco might not have won their first fixture, but having been the better side against Brazil, the AFCON champions deserve their ranking. Make no mistake, the Moroccans are a side that can make an impact this summer, fresh from a semi-final run four years ago.

And can we talk about Ayyoub Bouaddi? France have let a gem slip through their fingers.

7. United States

It’s fair to say ‘soccer’ isn’t the dominant sport in the United States, but the co-hosts will have certainly piqued the interest of the casual fan with their opening display.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side swatted aside Paraguay to claim a 4-1 win, the fourth-biggest opening win by a World Cup host country in history.

THE FIRST MULTI-GOAL WORLD CUP GAME BY A USMNT PLAYER SINCE 1930

Have a night, Folarin Balogun pic.twitter.com/0UfkfYVwt0

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 13, 2026

6. Sweden

Sweden struggled through qualification and required the play-off path just to make it to North America, but their tournament could not have started better. The Swedes thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their opener, with star duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both on target.

5. Norway

Dubbed as a potential dark horse before a ball had been kicked, Norway lived up to that billing. The Scandinavians put four past Iraq in a dominant display, led predictably by Erling Haaland. Norway have not been on this stage since 1998, but they’re determined to make an impression.

4. Germany

Germany just have no mercy. There have only been five occasions in which a team has scored seven or more goals in a World Cup game this century, and the Germans have been responsible for three of them.

There was no stepping off the gas from Julian Nagelsmann’s men, who thumped debutants Curacao 7-1 in the biggest result of matchday one.

Teams that have created the most xG at the World Cup so far:

Germany – 4.18
England – 3.85
Switzerland – 3.57
Norway – 2.87
Spain – 2.41 pic.twitter.com/TYJ59zlBwx

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 18, 2026

3. Argentina

Lionel Messi is just magic, isn’t he?

The little genius might be 38, but he remains on another level. Tougher tests await than Algeria, but Messi’s stunning hat-trick ensured the world champions made a perfect start.

2. England

England faced arguably the toughest opening test of the pre-tournament favourites, facing a Croatia side that has finished second and third across the previous two World Cups.

Thomas Tuchel’s side navigated that challenge in impressive fashion, running out 4-2 winners at Dallas Stadium. Harry Kane scored twice for the Three Lions, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also on the scoresheet. England have the firepower to go deep in this competition.

1. France

France are bidding to reach a third consecutive World Cup final and started their campaign in fine fashion.

Senegal represented a real test for Les Bleus, with the stripped-AFCON champions possessing the talent to trouble any side.

𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗣 pic.twitter.com/djMCixnQJ6

— 433 (@433) June 16, 2026

After an underwhelming first half, France took control after the break, and a formidable French forward line delivered. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, with Michael Olise also at his elusive best. Can any side contain this French frontline for an entire game?

Read – World Cup Day 7: England make statement; Ronaldo blanks

See Also – England player ratings vs Croatia: Kane and Bellingham star in World Cup opener

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