Ranking toughest FIFA groups 1-12 in 2026
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Lionel Messi, Argentina face 'curse' as they will arrive at 2026 World Cup as FIFA ranking leaders
As if the recent curse on reigning champions wasn’t enough, Argentina will be under additional pressure in the 2026 World Cup, to which they will arrive as the best national team in the FIFA rankings.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, kicking off a six-week extravaganza.
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the most exciting edition of the tournament yet.
The wait is almost over ... the 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to begin! ESPN's experts are here with what you need to know at a glance about all 48 teams.
Let's recap all the groups before taking a look at our power rankings ahead of the tournament: Let's now dive in into the power rankings with one month to go ahead of the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will face Colombia, Uzbekistan and Congo DR. Learn more about each team, their fixtures and who they could face in the Round of 32.
We have the final 26-player squads that can win the FIFA World Cup, so let's go through all 48 teams and rank where they stand.