The 2026 World Cup group stage is completed, and the Round of 32 beckons. Now it’s win or go home for the remaining nations in the World Cup bracket, as one mistake or one ill-timed challenge can be the difference between advancing to the next match or a flight home.
This year’s World Cup knockout stages features an extra round, and we’re here to break down the power rankings for the remaining nations ahead of the Round of 32 fixtures.
What World Cup teams’ stocks are rising, and who looks much less likely than before to make a run?
We also discuss the top teams that can actually win the 2026 World Cup, with their payouts to win the World Cup on PrizePicks Team Picks.
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2026 World Cup Rankings for Knockout Stage: All 32 Remaining Teams
Here are our updated 2026 World Cup power rankings for all 48 teams, as we head into the knockout stages of the competition.
Note: as of publishing, South Africa and Japan have been eliminated.
- France
- Argentina
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Brazil
- Germany
- England
- Morocco
- Colombia
- United States
- Mexico
- Norway
- Portugal
- Japan
- Croatia
- Switzerland
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Egypt
- Canada
- Belgium
- Senegal
- Austria
- DR Congo
- Sweden
- Ghana
- South Africa
- Algeria
- Australia
- Paraguay
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Cape Verde
Use these World Cup power rankings to help make your World Cup predictions on PrizePicks — and stay dialed in for picks and predictions for every World Cup game from our soccer experts.
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2026 World Cup Power Rankings: Stock Up
While multiple nations impressed during the group stage, there were two in particular who stood out. Here are the countries whose stock improved the most during the group stage.
Find our last World Cup power rankings here from the group stage.
Netherlands: From 6th to 4th
Netherlands to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 12.5x | No 1.03x
Two spots isn’t a big move, but it’s one change the Netherlands made that in my opinion took them from a dark horse to a true contender.
The introduction of Brian Brobbey into the starting XI suddenly provided an injection of physicality and steel to their attack. After the group stage, the Dutch rank fifth in shots on target and their 4.76 goals above expected is the best in the tournament.
The Netherlands weren’t handed an easy opening fixture, as they’ll have to deal with Morocco on Monday night. Should they navigate that fixture, things open up a bit with Canada standing between them and a potential quarterfinal showdown with France.
DR Congo: From 36th to 24th
DR Congo to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 33.33x | No N/A
After frustrating Portugal in their opening fixture, DR Congo narrowly fell 1-0 to Colombia on a goal late in the match. But needing just a win against Uzbekistan, they found themselves trailing after an hour.
DR Congo then stormed back, getting three goals in the final half hour as Yoane Wissa helped carry them into the knockout stages.
This is a side that plays extremely disciplined and organized 5-4-1 defense. They’re allowing just 20 touches per match in the penalty area, despite having the 12th-lowest possession of any nation.
England presents a very difficult matchup for DR Congo in the Round of 32, but as we’ll soon discuss it won’t be an impossible match for them to advance from.
2026 World Cup Power Rankings: Stock Down
Two teams in particular have performed worse than I expected through the World Cup so far, and took a tumble in our power rankings. Here is why England and Sweden’s stock has taken a hit heading into the knockout stage.
England: From 3rd to 7th
England to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 7.69x | No 1.07x
The squad selection by manager Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows when the squad was announced. The concerns raised by many are now coming to the forefront.
England has struggled to break down a low block against two opponents, displaying the need for a player like Morgan Gibbs-White or Cole Palmer — both of whom were omitted. Additionally, the shredded cheese that is the hamstring of Reece James is once again coming apart, shocking absolutely nobody except Tuchel himself.
With limited options to unlock compact defenses and concerns at right back, England’s chances look a bit shaky. Especially when you consider their next two opponents — DR Congo, and then either Mexico or Ecuador — will set up in exactly that manner.
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Sweden: From 20th to 25th
Sweden to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 33.33x | No N/A
Sweden looked great after that opening match against Tunisia. They were quickly brought back to Earth by the Dutch, who dismantled them in a 5-1 thrashing.
Graham Potter’s side responded with a 1-1 draw against Japan, a match where they played well for stretches but where they also repeatedly looked shaky at the back.
Despite having two of the better strikers in the competition, Sweden’s 0.07 xG per shot is one of the lowest in the tournament. Their numbers were heavily aided against Tunisia, but they scored just two goals against the Dutch and Japan from 27 shots, 13 of which were on target.
Sweden’s 0.17 xG per shot allowed is tied for the most in the tournament, as is their 29.17% conversion rate against — two percent higher than even Tunisia.
France will be licking their chops at facing this back line, and I doubt we’ll be ranking Sweden in the next edition.
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Who Are The Top 2026 World Cup Contenders?
As we head into the Round of 32, the field begins to whittle down and the true contenders are emerging. These are the three teams who have shown they are a class above the rest through the first three matches.
Also check out experts’ World Cup bracket predictions to see who we have advancing through the World Cup Final.
France
France to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 3.7x | No 1.26x
Since that rough first half against Senegal, France has looked unbeatable. They registered 10 goals in the group stage, and coasted against a heavily-rotated Norway side.
Now comes the tricky part. To reach the final, France may likely have to go through Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. If they want to win this World Cup, they’ll have to earn it.
That said, with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé both red hot at the moment, whose defense can stop them?
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Argentina
Argentina to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 4x | No 1.21x
As goes Lionel Messi, so goes Argentina. Heavy rotation against Jordan saw Argentina take a 2-0 lead at halftime, but Jordan caused some issues after the break.
Enter Messi, whose 80th minute goal sealed the win and a perfect group stage for the defending champions.
Messi was responsible for six of their eight group stage goals, and looks to continue carrying his country on his back. They won’t face a true challenge until the quarterfinals, when a showdown with Colombia looks set to take place.
Spain
Spain to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 7.69x | No 1.07x
Nico Williams came back from injury and was immediately lost again, dampening a 1-0 hard-fought win over Uruguay to claim top spot in Group H. The match once again displayed their concerning offensive struggles, as only a goalkeeping error saw them score.
The Spanish have yet to concede a goal at the competition, but Austria will present a tougher challenge than they faced in the group stage.
Spain’s path to the semifinal isn’t an overly difficult one, but they’ll need Lamine Yamal and company to keep firing. If they can find some consistent goalscoring production, they’ll be nearly impossible to defeat.
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Make Your World Cup 2026 Predictions on PrizePicks
The World Cup Round of 32 is here and the stakes are raised even higher. As the field narrows, we will continue to break down the top contenders for the 2026 World Cup and help you prepare for the upcoming matches by ranking the top remaining nations.
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Stick around with the Playbook for continued World Cup predictions, picks, and analysis through the end of the tournament.
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