Alexi Lalas’ World Cup Power Rankings: Argentina Surges After Messi’s Hat Trick

Back by popular demand! You know them, you love them: My 2026 FIFA World Cup Power Rankings, featuring the top 10 in this tournament as of Wednesday. And I’ve got a new No. 1. As a reminder: These are my power rankings. You want some power rankings? Go get your own! These are mine, and they’re a work in progress throughout the tournament. I might get up and say, “Wow, this team is really turning me on!” Or, I might get up and say, “This team is not turning me on.” Netherlands, Croatia, Norway, Mexico and Brazil aren’t in my top 10, but things can change. But keep in mind, just as you go up, you can come down as the tournament goes along. Let’s dive into it: Odds to win the World Cup: +5500 (15th)Key player: Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) Japan impressed with a 2-2 draw against Netherlands on Sunday in the teams’ Group F opener, and the Samurai Blue hope to carry their momentum into their Tunisia match. It could be challenging if Kubo’s status is questionable after he was injured against the Dutch. Group F opponents: Netherlands (2-2 D), Tunisia (June 20), Sweden (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +4000 (12th)Key player: Winger Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) Nothing beats home cooking, but the United States might need a double helping of it this summer if it wants to contend. So far, so good. Group D opponents: Paraguay (4-1 W), Australia (June 19), Türkiye (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +5500 (13th)Key player: Midfielder James Rodríguez (No club) I see the heat and environment in the United States favoring South American teams this summer. Colombia has shown it can compete with the best at these big tournaments, and it has a star in attack (winger Luis Díaz) who could lead it to the promised land. Group K opponents: Uzbekistan (June 17), DR Congo (June 23), Portugal (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +3500 (10th)Key player: Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) Morocco isn’t sneaking up on anyone this summer, except maybe Brazil. This isn’t an underdog team anymore, and Group C is on notice after a strong performance in its World Cup opener. Group C opponents: Brazil (1-1 D), Scotland (June 19), Haiti (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +1400 (7th)Key player: Midfielder Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) Even a mediocre German team is still German. While manager Julian Nagelsmann’s squad lacks truly elite players, it will still be a force to be reckoned with this summer. Group E opponents: Curaçao (7-1 W), Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +800 (4th)Key player: Striker Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) The dynamic surrounding Ronaldo will make or break this tournament for Portugal. The 41-year-old is missing one major trophy in his career, and that’s the World Cup. Will the attention he draws be a help or a hindrance? He was held without a goal against DR Congo. Group K opponents: DR Congo (1-1 D), Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +700 (3rd)Key player: Midfielder Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) It pains me to say this, but this is the best England team in decades. With striker Harry Kane leading the attack and Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield, this could be the year that England breaks through and wins a major international trophy. Group L opponents: Croatia (June 17), Ghana (June 23), Panama (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +550 (2nd)Key player: Midfielder Pedri (Barcelona) This is not your parents’ Spain, which won the Euros twice and the 2010 World Cup. It’s better. The Spaniards won Euro 2024 and have not lost since March 2024 — plus, only twice since the start of 2023. Group H opponents: Cape Verde (0-0 D), Saudia Arabia (June 21), Uruguay (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +400 (1st)Key player: Striker Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) The combination of talent, depth and arrogance in this square … it’s like a lethal French perfume. Mbappé was in preak form against Senegal, and manager Didier Deschamps’ team has everything needed to send him off with a win this summer in his final major tournament in charge. Group I opponents: Senegal (3-1 W), Iraq (June 22), Norway (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +850 (5th)Key player: Forward Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) In a vacuum, I’d have Argentina higher, but no team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil way back in 1958 and 1962. But we all saw what Messi and the team did Tuesday against Algeria, and no other team deserves the top spot right now. Group J opponents: Algeria (3-0 W), Austria (June 22), Jordan (June 27)