Every team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has now played at least once. The Athletic has responded by doing what sports media does best: ranking all 48 of them, top to bottom, based on opening-match performance.
France sits at No. 1. Argentina holds No. 2. England, riding a dominant 4-0 demolition of Croatia under Thomas Tuchel, checks in at No. 3. Meanwhile, the crypto side of the tournament is generating its own scoreboard, with prediction markets tied to the World Cup processing over $2 billion since the first whistle.
The rankings and what they tell us
The Athletic’s updated power rankings, published June 17, reflect a tournament still finding its legs. The more interesting story is England at No. 3. A 4-0 win over Croatia is the kind of statement result that reshuffles early-tournament narratives. Thomas Tuchel’s side looked sharp, clinical, and, most importantly, like a team that actually wants to be there.
Germany, for its part, drew attention for defensive vulnerabilities despite early results.
