Prestigious publication unveils favorites ranking ahead of the World Cup
ESPN has released its power rankings for national teams one month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The list features the 15 strongest national teams in the world.
Spain takes the top spot in the ranking. Known for their technical and high-quality football, they are considered one of the main favorites ahead of the tournament. France sits in second place, while reigning world champions Argentina round out the top three.
According to ESPN, England is fourth, Brazil fifth, and Portugal sixth. Each of these teams possesses a strong squad and has the potential to compete for top results at the World Cup.
The remainder of the ranking includes Germany, Netherlands, Morocco, Norway, Belgium, Colombia, Senegal, Croatia, and Japan. Notably, Asian representative Japan has also secured a place in the top 15.
ESPN national team rankings:
Spain
France
Argentina
England
Brazil
Portugal
Germany
Netherlands
Morocco
Norway
Belgium
Colombia
Senegal
Croatia
Japan
As a reminder, Argentina is the reigning world champion. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, they defeated France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in regular and extra time.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 and runs until July 19. For the first time, the tournament will be hosted by three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In short, ESPN has set the stage before the World Cup. Spain leads, with France and Argentina in pursuit. However, rankings are one thing, and the pitch is another. In major tournaments, it is often the most prepared and composed teams, rather than the favorites, that make history.
