FIFA World Cup Power Rankings: How does Canada stack up against the rest?

The biggest sporting event on the planet is about to take centre stage. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday as the field of 48 nations — including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States — will combine to play in 104 matches across 16 cities, all with an eye towards advancing to the final on July 19 in New York. 

Before the month-long football festival begins, Sportsnet ranks all 48 teams.

1. SPAIN 
FIFA world ranking: No. 2 
Group H opponents: Cape Verde (June 15), Saudia Arabia (June 21), Uruguay (June 26) 

The reigning European champions have suffered just one loss (in a penalty shootout) in their last 29 matches dating back to early 2024. Even with injury concerns over Lamine Yamal, La Roja have the kind of depth and quality that is the envy of the other 47 teams at the World Cup. 

2. FRANCE 
FIFA world ranking: No. 3 
Group I opponents: Senegal (June 16), Iraq (June 22), Norway (June 26) 

So rich are Les Bleus’ attacking options that manager Didier Deschamp will have to keep at least one of Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise or Rayan Cherki out of his starting 11. 

3. ENGLAND 
FIFA world ranking: No. 4 
Group L opponents: Croatia (June 17), Ghana (June 23), Panama (June 27) 

That German manager Thomas Tuchel left Phil Foden and Cole Palmer off his squad speaks to the Three Lions’ depth. Top scorer Harry Kane is coming off a sensational season with Bayern Munich.

4. ARGENTINA 
FIFA world ranking: No. 1 
Group J opponents: Algeria (June 16), Austria (June 22), Jordan (June 27) 

It’s Lionel Messi’s last stand which means La Albiceleste have plenty of motivation to become the first nation to repeat as World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Midfielder Nico Paz could be the breakout player of the tournament. 

5. PORTUGAL 
FIFA world ranking: No. 5 
Group K opponents: Congo DR (June 17), Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia (June 27) 

At age 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing in his sixth World Cup. But a talent-rich team that includes Bernardo Fernandes, João Félix and Vitinha means Portugal doesn’t heavily rely on Ronaldo anymore. 

6. GERMANY 
FIFA world ranking: No. 10 
Group E opponents: Curaçao (June 14), Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador (June 25) 

Centre-forward is an area of concern, but manager Julian Nagelsmann has an array of attacking talent from which to choose. There are also loads of experience in this team, including top goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. 

7. BRAZIL 
FIFA world ranking: No. 6 
Group C opponents: Morocco (June 13), Haiti (June 19), Scotland (June 24) 

Don’t let the sideshow over the inclusion of Neymar to the roster fool you. Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side looks very strong and the fact they’re not considered among the top favourites could work in their favour and give them extra motivation.   

8. NETHERLANDS 
FIFA world ranking: No. 8 
Group F opponents: Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20), Tunisia (June 25) 

The loss of Tottenham winger Xavi Simons (ruptured ACL) is a bit of a blow, but the Dutch have more than enough top-tier players to make up for his absence. They’ve barely put a foot wrong since their loss in the semifinals of Euro 2024. 

9. CROATIA 
FIFA world ranking: No. 11 
Group L opponents: England (June 17), Panama (June 23), Ghana (June 27) 

It’s a team full of experienced campaigners, highlighted by Luka Modric and Josko Gvardiol. But there are also a number of very promising youngsters, including winger Martin Baturina. 

10. COLOMBIA 
FIFA world ranking: No. 13 
Group K opponents: Uzbekistan (June 17), Congo DR (June 23), Portugal (June 27) 

Could Colombia become the first new nation to win the World Cup since Spain in 2010? It’s very possible. The 2024 Copa América finalists boast Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz, who could rank among the top goal scorers in the World Cup. 

11. NORWAY 
FIFA world ranking: No. 31 
Group I opponents: Iraq (June 16), Senegal (June 22), France (June 26) 

Norway has to be considered one of the tournament’s top dark horses after an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them beat out Italy for top spot in their group. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard are world-class attackers. 

12. SENEGAL 
FIFA world ranking: No. 15 
Group I opponents: France (June 16), Norway (June 22), Iraq (June 26) 

Probably Africa’s best hope thanks in large part to a squad highlighted by veteran forward Sadio Mane, and Premier League players Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr and Ismaila Sarr. Opponents will struggle to break down their defence. 

13. ECUADOR 
FIFA world ranking: No. 24 
Group E opponents: Ivory Coast (June 14), Curaçao (June 20), Germany (June 25) 

Only conceded five goals in eight games during the South American qualifiers to finish in second behind Argentina and ahead of Colombia and Brazil. 

14. BELGIUM 
FIFA world ranking: No. 9 
Group G opponents: Egypt (June 15), Iran (June 21), New Zealand (June 26) 

They have an easy group so advancing to the round of 32 won’t be an issue. A roster that features veterans (including Kevin De Bruyne) and youngsters (led by Jérémy Doku) could be poised to make a run this summer 

15. MEXICO 
FIFA world ranking: No. 14 
Group A opponents: South Africa (June 11), South Korea (June 18), Czechia (June 24) 

El Tri impressed when it previously hosted the World Cup — quarter-final runs in 1970 and 1986. If they win their group, they’d stay in Mexico for the first two rounds of the knockout stage, which would be a huge advantage. 

16. SWITZERLAND 
FIFA world ranking: No. 19 
Group B opponents: Qatar (June 13), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 18), Canada (June 24) 

A solid team that will be competing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and has suffered just one loss in its last 14 games since the start of 2025, with impressive wins over the United States and Mexico coming in that run.  

17. MOROCCO 
FIFA world ranking: No. 7 
Group C opponents: Brazil (June 13), Scotland (June 19), Haiti (June 24) 

Everybody will be ready for them this time around after they over-achieved by reaching the semifinals four years ago in Qatar. Mohamed Ouahbi was hired as manager in March, so he’ll only have a few games under his belt by the start of the tournament. 

18. URUGUAY 
FIFA world ranking: No. 16 
Group H opponents: Saudia Arabia (June 15), Cape Verde (June 21), Spain (June 26) 

It’ll be interesting to see how they navigate a major tournament for the first time in a long time without veteran striker Luis Suarez who retired from the national team in the aftermath of La Celeste’s third-place showing at the 2024 Copa América. 

19. JAPAN 
FIFA world ranking: No. 18 
Group F opponents: Netherlands (June 14), Tunisia (June 20), Sweden (June 25) 

Japan will miss injured Premier League attacker Kaoru Mitoma, but overall, they have a deep team that should allow them to go on a run this summer. 

20. CANADA 
FIFA world ranking: No. 30 
Group B opponents: Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 12), Qatar (June 18), Switzerland (June 24) 

They have the advantage of playing at home and should get out of the group. But big questions loom about the team’s slew of injuries, especially to captain Alphonso Davies, the team’s lack of finishing up front, and the scoring slumps by top forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. 

21. EGYPT 
FIFA world ranking: No. 29
Group G opponents: Belgium (June 15), New Zealand (June 21), Iran (June 26) 

Mohamed Salah has a stronger team around him compared to 2018 when his country last qualified for the World Cup. A relatively easy group means they should advance to the knockout round. 

22. UNITED STATES 
FIFA world ranking: No. 17 
Group D opponents: Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19), Turkey (June 25) 

Home advantage will be huge for the Americans, but results have been mixed (and that’s putting it kindly) since Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as manager in 2024. 

23. AUSTRIA 
FIFA world ranking: No. 23 
Group J opponents: Jordan (June 16), Argentina (June 22), Algeria (June 27) 

Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Austria is powered by a solid midfield that features Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer and has plenty of other experienced veterans who play for top clubs in the German Bundesliga. 

24. TURKEY
FIFA world ranking: No. 22 
Group D opponents: Australia (June 13), Paraguay (June 19), USA (June 25) 

Manager Vincenzo Montella isn’t lacking creativity with Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz in the team. But who will provide the goals? 

LONG SHOTS OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP 
25. SWEDEN (No. 38 in FIFA world rankings) 
26. SOUTH KOREA (No. 25) 
27. AUSTRALIA (No. 27) 
28. IVORY COAST (No. 33) 
35. ALGERIA (No. 28) 
30. PARAGUAY (No. 40) 
31. IRAN (No. 21) 
32. SCOTLAND (No. 42) 

EXTREME LONG SHOTS OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP 
33. GHANA (No. 73) 
34. CZECH REPUBLIC (No. 39) 
35. BOSNIA AND HEZERGOVINA (No. 64) 
36. TUNISIA (No. 46) 
37. SOUTH AFRICA (No. 60) 
38. SAUDI ARABIA (No. 61) 
39. PANAMA (No. 34) 
40. UZBEKISTAN (No. 50) 

ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP 
41. IRAQ (No. 56) 
42. CONGO DR (No. 45) 
43. HAITI (No. 83) 
44. QATAR (No. 57) 
45. NEW ZEALAND (No. 85) 
46. CAPE VERDE (No. 67) 
47. JORDAN (No. 63)  48. CURAÇAO (No. 82)