FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Begins

More than two weeks have passed since the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After magical and dramatic results in the group stage matches, the tournament has now entered the knockout stage.

The Round of 32 begins tonight from Los Angeles with the match between Canada and South Africa. So far, many records have been set in the matches. Football heroes have proven their level. Lionel Messi is at the top with 6 goals, followed by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Vinícius Júnior, and Erling Haaland with 4 goals each. Interestingly, in this tournament with 48 teams, only Mexico, France, and Argentina have won all three group stage matches with a 100% result.

This time, many unexpected results have also been seen. South Africa became second in Group A by defeating South Korea. The small country of Cape Verde secured a place in the knockout stage by playing three draws in its first World Cup. Similarly, Congo DR has also confirmed its meeting with England as one of the top eight third-placed teams.

In this situation, ESPN.in has presented the top 15 team power rankings and analysis prepared by a panel of 20 international journalists here:

France (No change)

Round of 32 opponent: Sweden

Although Spain was the initial favorite, France (Les Bleus) has captured everyone's attention since the start of the tournament. Kylian Mbappé is once again on a mission to win the World Cup. He is supported by players like Ousmane Dembélé, who scored the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history against Norway. France's counter-attacking style and Olivier Giroud's excellent form make them the strongest contender. 16 reporters have ranked France first.

Argentina

Round of 32 opponent: Cape Verde

Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, is secure in second place. Messi, who was rested against Jordan, scored an excellent free-kick goal after coming off the bench, setting a record of scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Although Argentina's knockout journey seems relatively easy, it remains to be seen how their midfield will cope with physically strong teams.

Spain

Round of 32 opponent: Austria

Despite being the European champions and ranked third, some questions have arisen about their performance. Young star Lamine Yamal is struggling to be fully fit, while midfield backbone Rodri's form has been average. Spain's performance against Uruguay was lackluster. With the possibility of facing teams like Portugal in the knockout stage, Spain needs to improve its attacking game.

England

Round of 32 opponent: Congo DR

Despite having a goal machine like Harry Kane, England's game has not been very exciting. The impact of coach Thomas Tuchel not including some creative players in the squad is evident on the field. Despite creating many chances, failing to score has been England's main problem. However, with a strong defense, they are still considered title contenders.

Brazil (1 place up)

Round of 32 opponent: Japan

Under Carlo Ancelotti's coaching, Brazil is playing very enjoyable football. Vinícius Júnior has become the team's main weapon. Brazil has no shortage of midfielders and forwards, but it is a matter of interest how experienced players like Marquinhos and Casemiro will perform against strong opponents. The upcoming match against Japan will be their real test.

Germany (1 place down)

Round of 32 opponent: Paraguay

Although Germany achieved a massive 7-1 victory against Curaçao, their defensive weaknesses were exposed in their loss to Ecuador. While Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala are in form, the injury to key defender Nico Schlotterbeck has put Germany in trouble. If they do not improve their defense in the knockout stage, their journey could be difficult.

Netherlands

Round of 32 opponent: Morocco

The Dutch team is excited by the form of Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey. Instead of relying on one big star, they have focused on collective play. The defense led by Virgil van Dijk is also balanced. However, getting a tough opponent like Morocco in the Round of 32 is a challenge for them.

Morocco (2 places up)

Round of 32 opponent: Netherlands

Morocco has once again shown signs of surprising the world. Ismaïl Saibari (3 goals) has been impressive at the international level. Morocco's main strength is their starting eleven, but there is still doubt about the ability of the players on the bench.

Colombia (5 places up)

Round of 32 opponent: Ghana

Colombia has emerged as the biggest 'surprise' team of this tournament. The experience of Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez has strengthened the team. They have already demonstrated their capability by holding a strong team like Portugal. Many consider Colombia to be the dark horse this time.

Portugal (2 places down)

Round of 32 opponent: Croatia

Despite having the world's best midfield (Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha), Portugal is struggling to score goals. Debates have started about whether Cristiano Ronaldo's presence is affecting the team's natural rhythm. Portugal needs to focus on improving its finishing before the match against Croatia.

Norway (2 places down)

Round of 32 opponent: Ivory Coast

Norway relies on the individual performances of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Some believe Norway made a mistake by fielding a second-choice team against France. Haaland alone has the ability to win games, but it is uncertain how far Norway's weak defense will take them.

United States (1 place down)

Round of 32 opponent: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The co-host United States has made a good start by taking advantage of home ground. Although Christian Pulisic has not been able to play full matches due to injury, Folarin Balogun has been scoring goals. The midfield pairing of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie is impressive. The match against Bosnia is a golden opportunity for them to advance to the next round.

Mexico

Round of 32 opponent: Ecuador

Despite being one of the three teams with a 100% record in the group stage, Mexico is still underestimated. The immense support of the home crowd and Julián Quiñones' form have strengthened Mexico. The match against Ecuador will be the real test for Mexico in this World Cup.

Japan (2 places down)

Round of 32 opponent: Brazil

Japan appears to be a very balanced team. The fact that 10 different players from the squad have contributed to goals or assists is proof of this. However, having to play against a superpower like Brazil in the first knockout match makes the road ahead challenging for Japan.

Belgium (New entry)

Round of 32 opponent: Senegal

With a resounding victory against New Zealand, Belgium has returned to the top 15. The experience of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku is important for the team. For Belgium, with a majority of experienced players, stopping Senegal's pace will be the main challenge.

The next power ranking will be published the day after the Round of 16 concludes.