World Cup Power Rankings: How final 16 squads stack up

Canada is in uncharted territory at the FIFA World Cup.  

The Canadians advanced out of the group stage, won their first-ever knockout game and are now looking to move on to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, a host of other nations are looking to make a big splash during the business end of the tournament. 

Sportsnet ranks the remaining 16 teams at the World Cup.   

Group stage: 1st in Group I – 3-1 win vs. Senegal, 3-0 win vs. Iraq, 4-1 win vs. Norway 
Round of 32: 3-0 win vs. Sweden
Round of 16: Paraguay (July 4 in Philadelphia)   

The French have been near-perfect at this World Cup with four wins from four games. They’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 13-2, and they haven’t trailed for a single minute. Kylian Mbappé has six goals, while Michael Olise has been the tournament’s best creator (five assists). It’s France’s World Cup to lose at this point. 

Group stage: 1st in Group J – 3-0 win vs. Algeria, 2-0 win vs. Austria, 3-1 win vs. Jordan 
Round of 32: 3-2 win vs. Cape Verde
Round of 16: Egypt (July 7 in Atlanta)   

The defending World Cup champions are flying high with four consecutive wins. Lionel Messi has been his usual brilliant self with a tournament-high seven goals. What’s scary is that the South Americans have barely even shifted out of first gear, and they have a relatively easy path to the semifinals. 

Group stage: 1st in Group H – 0-0 vs. Cape Verde, 4-0 win vs. Saudi Arabia, 1-0 win vs. Uruguay 
Round of 32: 3-0 win vs. Austria
Round of 16: Portugal (July 6 in Dallas)   

After a shocking start to the tournament, the reigning European champions have rebounded quite nicely by registering three consecutive shutout victories. Impressively, La Roja have yet to concede a single goal at this World Cup, while Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal ranks among the tournament’s top scorers with four goals. 

Group stage: 1st in Group L – 4-2 win vs. Croatia, 0-0 vs. Ghana, 2-0 win vs. Panama 
Round of 32: 2-1 win vs. DR Congo
Round of 16: Mexico (July 5 in Mexico City)   

Is it finally coming home for England after 60 years? Harry Kane (five goals) has been in fine form, while the English have also benefited from Jude Bellingham’s strong displays. The way England had to fight back against DR Congo in the round of 32 should be its wake-up call and make it even hungrier. 

Group stage: 1st in Group A – 2-0 win vs. South Africa, 1-0 win vs. South Korea, 3-0 win vs. Czech Republic 
Round of 32: 2-0 win vs. Ecuador
Round of 16: England (July 5 in Mexico City)   

El Tri has made the most of home-field advantage with four shutout wins, including their first knockout-match victory since reaching the quarterfinals in 1986. Mexico looks very confident and is playing with swagger, which is a very dangerous combination. 

Group stage: 2nd in Group C – 1-1 draw vs. Brazil, 1-0 win vs. Scotland, 4-2 win vs. Haiti 
Round of 32: Penalty shootout win vs. the Netherlands
Round of 16: Canada (July 4 in Houston)   

The current African Cup of Nations holders remain on course to reach the semifinals for a second straight time. Midfielder Ismael Saibari has been one of the players of the tournament, while Achraf Hakimi has reminded us why he ranks among the top fullbacks in the world. 

Group stage: 1st in Group D – 4-1 win vs. Paraguay, 2-0 win vs. Australia, 3-2 loss vs. Turkey 
Round of 32: 2-0 win vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round of 16: Belgium (July 6 in Seattle)   

Except for the minor hiccup vs. Turkey in the group stage, the Americans have looked like world beaters at this World Cup. The suspension of top scorer Folarin Balogun is a big blow, but with the way they’re playing, the U.S. have no reason to fear Belgium. 

Group stage: 2nd in Group I – 4-1 win vs. Iraq, 3-2 win vs. Senegal, 4-1 loss vs. Norway 
Round of 32: 2-1 win vs. Ivory Coast
Round of 16: Norway (July 5 in New York)   

Erling Haaland has made the most of playing in his first World Cup, bagging five goals for a Norway side that has looked ultra-dangerous in attack. The heavy loss vs. France comes with an asterisk, as many of their starters were rested. The Norwegians should not be taken lightly by Brazil. 

Group stage: 1st in Group C – 1-1 draw vs. Morocco, 3-0 win vs. Haiti, 3-0 win vs. Scotland 
Round of 32: 2-1 win vs. Japan
Round of 16: Brazil (July 6, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)   

Vinícius Júnior has four goals for a Brazilian attack that is hitting on all cylinders at the moment, while the calm and collected Carlo Ancelotti pulls the tactical strings from the bench. Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes have been excellent contributors in midfield. 

Group stage: 1st in Group K – 3-1 win vs. Uzbekistan, 1-0 win vs. DR Congo, 0-0 draw vs. Portugal 
Round of 32: 1-0 win vs. Ghana
Round of 16: Switzerland (July 7 in Vancouver)  

This is a team brimming with attacking talent that has overawed its opponents with its speed and relentless pressing. There are some concerns in terms of not finishing off their opponents, but overall, the Colombians have looked very impressive, buoyed by their sense of fearlessness. 

Group stage: 2nd in Group K – 1-1 draw vs. DR Congo, 5-0 win vs. Uzbekistan, 0-0 win vs. Colombia 
Round of 32: 2-1 win vs. Croatia
Round of 16: Spain (July 6 in Dallas)   

Despite having arguably the best midfield at the World Cup, Portugal hasn’t looked entirely convincing. They’ve dominated possession but have struggled at times to make it count. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence waning, Rafael Leão has emerged as their most dangerous threat. 

Group stage: 1st in Group B – 1-1 draw vs. Qatar, 4-1 win vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-1 win vs. Canada 
Round of 32: 2-0 win vs. Algeria
Round of 16: Colombia (July 7 in Vancouver)   

Midfielder Johan Manzambi, 20, has emerged as one of the breakout stars of this World Cup for a Swiss side that has quietly, yet effectively, gone about its business. Experienced campaigners Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka have played starring roles in helping their country get this far. 

Group stage: 1st in Group G – 1-1 draw vs. Egypt, 0-0 draw vs. Iran, 5-1 win vs. New Zealand 
Round of 32: 3-2 win vs. Senegal
Round of 16: United States (July 6 in Seattle)   

The Belgians showed great poise in coming back from two goals down to Senegal to book their spot in the round of 16. But the Red Devils have looked pretty flat at this World Cup, with the win over New Zealand looking like an anomaly. 

Group stage: 2nd in Group B – 1-1 draw vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6-0 win vs. Qatar, 2-1 loss vs. Switzerland 
Round of 32: 1-0 win vs. South Africa
Round of 16: Morocco (July 4 in Houston)   

Jesse Marsch’s side has done very well to get to this point. But they haven’t made the most of home-field advantage — finishing second in Group B took them out of Vancouver. Setting aside the Qatar match, they’ve struggled for goals and now face the toughest test at this World Cup in the form of the reigning African champions, who were semi-finalists four years ago in Qatar. 

Group stage: 2nd in Group G – 1-1 draw vs. Belgium, 3-1 win vs. New Zealand, 1-1 draw vs. Iran 
Round of 32: Penalty shootout win vs. Australia
Round of 16: Argentina (July 7 in Atlanta)   

A first-ever World Cup knockout win was a huge achievement for Egypt. But the Pharaoh’s attack has looked fairly listless at times, and Mohamed Salah has been rather quiet. 

Group stage: 3rd in Group D – 4-1 loss vs. United States, 1-0 win vs. Turkey, 0-0 draw vs. Australia 
Round of 32: Penalty shootout win vs. Germany
Round of 16: France (July 4 in Philadelphia)   

Give credit to Paraguay: They’ve shown consistent improvement since that heavy loss to the United States in its opening match, capped off by an upset win over Germany in the round of 32.