2026 World Cup Power Rankings: Lionel Messi Propels Argentina to No.1 as Spain and Portugal Struggle

The opening round of the 2026 World Cup group stage has been completed, delivering plenty of excitement despite a schedule that appeared low-key on paper. Big names have shown up in force, though not every team met expectations.

Hosts Mexico and the United States began with strong wins. Brazil was held to a draw by Morocco, Germany overwhelmed Curacao, and the clash between Netherlands and Japan ended in a thrilling 2-2. Meanwhile, underdogs like Cape Verde and DR Congo earned surprising draws against Spain and Portugal respectively.

Star players impressed too. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane all scored braces. Yet it was Lionel Messi who stole the show with a hat-trick for defending champions Argentina. In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo faced a forgettable start.

Lower Tier Teams Face Uphill Battles

Curacao, the smallest nation ever at a World Cup, suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat to Germany but will cherish their equalizer from Livano Comenencia. Panama narrowly lost to Ghana, casting doubt on their chances against tougher opponents like Croatia and England.

Iraq saw hope briefly after drawing level with Norway, only to be undone quickly. Their next match against France looms large. Tunisia endured chaos, losing 5-1 to Sweden, which led to head coach Sabri Lamouchi’s early dismissal and replacement by Herve Renard.

Haiti showed fight in a narrow loss to Scotland but face difficult fixtures ahead versus Brazil and Morocco. First-time participant Jordan impressed against Austria and might still claim points against Algeria, though Argentina awaits.

Mid-Table Teams Show Promise and Worry

South Africa struggled badly in a 2-0 loss to Mexico, compounded by two second-half red cards. Uzbekistan made history with their first World Cup goal but lost 3-1 to Colombia. Paraguay had a rough start, conceding an own goal in a 4-1 loss to United States.

New Zealand drew 2-2 with Iran, a result they felt slipped away after twice leading. Qatar improved from their 2022 debut, earning a late equalizer against Switzerland. Algeria fell to Messi’s brilliance, suffering a 3-0 loss to Argentina.

Cape Verde stunned Spain with a 0-0 draw, an incredible achievement that boosts their hopes of advancing if they can beat Uruguay or Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian side itself took a point from a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Uruguay, signaling defensive resilience and potential to qualify with a win over Cape Verde.

Teams Near the Top with Mixed Fortunes

Iran battled hard for a 2-2 draw against New Zealand amid difficult off-field circumstances. Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea, a setback that complicates their path forward. DR Congo earned a valuable draw against Portugal, with Yoane Wissa scoring the equalizer.

Bosnia and Herzegovina took a point off co-hosts Canada and could still advance with wins against Switzerland and Qatar. Canada themselves drew their opener and will look to capitalize on home advantage in upcoming matches. Ghana snatched a last-minute win against Panama, keeping knockout hopes alive despite tough competition.

Scotland celebrated a 1-0 victory over Haiti, while Senegal suffered a 3-1 loss to France after missing several chances. Turkiye disappointed with a loss to Australia and now faces a must-win game against Paraguay.

Top Teams Face Challenges Ahead

Ecuador missed multiple chances before losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast, who are well placed to progress. Australia started brightly with a 2-0 win over Turkiye and aim to continue their form against the United States and Paraguay. South Korea recovered from an early setback to defeat Czechia 2-1, setting a positive tone.

Uruguay showed two faces in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia but rallied in the second half. Egypt drew 1-1 with Belgium, falling short of a historic first World Cup win despite strong play.

Croatia suffered a 4-2 loss to England, who impressed with a dominant second-half display featuring goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Austria secured a late 3-1 win over Jordan but still adapts after a key injury.

Strong Starts from Several Nations

Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both on the scoresheet. Switzerland settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar. Ivory Coast claimed a late winner against Ecuador to boost their qualification chances.

Colombia started well with a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan, highlighted by Luis Diaz’s contributions. Mexico impressed in a 2-0 win against South Africa, while United States demolished Paraguay 4-1, propelled by Folarin Balogun’s brace.

Belgium struggled for rhythm in a 1-1 draw with Egypt, relying on an own goal to salvage a point. Japan earned a dramatic 2-2 draw with Netherlands thanks to Daichi Kamada’s late equalizer. The Dutch dropped points after twice taking the lead but were unsettled by Japan’s resilience.

Rising Teams and Star Performers

Norway kicked off with a convincing 4-1 win over Iraq, buoyed by Erling Haaland’s brace. Morocco held Brazil to a 1-1 draw, continuing their strong showing from the previous tournament.

Brazil leaned heavily on Vinicius Jr. to earn a point, while Portugal stumbled to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, raising questions about Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact. Germany fired seven past Curacao, showcasing attacking prowess.

Spain faltered with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, highlighting their need for a dependable striker. England showed moments of brilliance in a 4-0 win over Croatia, while France overcame Senegal 3-1 with Mbappe hitting form.

Argentina topped the rankings, powered by Messi’s inspired hat-trick and an undefeated aura under coach Lionel Scaloni.