The Argentine national team began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a convincing victory in defending their world title. However, the champions’ performance was not enough to secure first place in the ranking list released by BBC sports experts, which brought a unique perspective on the start of the tournament.
This classification was carefully prepared by a group of journalists from the British broadcaster who followed and evaluated all the matches in the opening round of the competition. The relevance of this ranking lies in its methodology, based exclusively on the initial performances of each team, offering a specific and immediate overview of performance, which can generate discussions between the public and the press.
The ten teams that lead the initial World Cup rankings
Below is the list of teams that stood out in the first cycle of games:
- 1. France:In group I, they beat Senegal 3-1. The team confirmed their favoritism with a high-level performance in the second half, demonstrating strength in all sectors of the field.
- 2. England:In group L, they beat Croatia 4-2. The team scored four goals and could have gone even further, with an impressive attack led by Harry Kane, although the defense still raises concerns.
- 3. Argentina:In group J, they defeated Algeria 3-0. The presence of Lionel Messi and the team’s ability to evolve with his genius were crucial factors in placing in the top three.
- 4. Germany:In group E, they scored a 7-1 defeat in Curaçao. Any team that scores seven goals in its debut deserves attention, even if the opponent wasn’t the most challenging.
- 5. United States:In group D, they beat Paraguay 4-1. A surprise among the top five, the team overpowered Paraguay with skillful football and still has the advantage of playing at home.
- 6. Norway:In group I, they beat Iraq 4-1. The team was assembled to enhance the qualities of Erling Haaland, who proved to be fundamental.
- 7. Colombia:In group K, they defeated Uzbekistan 3-1. With strength, speed and the talent of Luis Díaz, Colombia promises to be a challenge for many opponents.
- 8. Morocco:In group C, they drew 1-1 with Brazil. In the opening 20 minutes, the Moroccan team seemed capable of dominating Brazil, but in the second half they opted to hold on for a draw, showing potential.
- 9. Brazil:In group C, they drew 1-1 with Morocco. The debut was unstable and raised doubts about the team’s traditional performance, but the main squad resisted the defeat.
- 10. Sweden:In group F, they beat Tunisia 5-1. Sweden has two top forwards in the Premier League and a midfield with great ability to score goals.
Teams positioned between 11th and 20th place in the ranking
Check out how the next teams ranked in the evaluation:
- 11. Australia:In group D, they beat Turkey 2-0. With a quick game, the team managed to neutralize Turkey, who were seen as favorites in the clash.
- 12. Spain:In group H, they drew 0-0 with Cape Verde. One of the surprises of the World Cup so far, Spain showed creativity to deserve the victory and could go far.
- 13. Netherlands:In group F, they drew 2-2 with Japan. The Dutch team should have guaranteed victory against Japan, and are only not in a higher position due to uncertainties in the defense.
- 14. Mexico:In group A, they defeated South Africa 2-0. The team’s performance exceeded expectations against a South African team that disappointed, but the expulsion of César Montes was a setback.
- 15. Japan:In group F, they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands. He fought hard to achieve a draw when he was about to lose, but more ambition was expected from the tournament’s “underdog”.
- 16. Scotland:In group C, they beat Haiti 1-0. A positive result, despite a performance considered weak, which may have been influenced by pressure after 28 years without a triumph.
- 17. Cape Verde:In group H, they drew 0-0 with Spain. It became one of the public’s favorites thanks to the inspired performance of experienced goalkeeper Vozinha.
- 18. Belgium:In group G, they drew 1-1 with Egypt. The draw came from an own goal against a strong opponent, but Belgium created good chances and the most difficult game in the group was behind them.
- 19. Egypt:In group G, they drew 1-1 with Belgium. The team looked close to their first World Cup victory, but despite Emam Ashour’s fine goal, the opportunities created were few.
- 20. Senegal:In group I, they lost 3-1 to France. There is no shame in losing to France; the team held the score until the 66th minute and could have gone ahead if Nicolas Jackson hadn’t hit the post.
Analysis of teams from 21st to 30th place
See the intermediate positions and the performance of each one:
- 21. Portugal:In group K, they drew 1-1 with Congo. The team still has Cristiano Ronaldo and a team that feels the pressure of his constant presence.
- 22. Croatia:In group L, they lost 4-2 to England. He scored two notable goals against powerful England, but demonstrated defensive fragility and an excessive dependence on his more experienced players.
- 23. Democratic Republic of the Congo:In group K, they drew 1-1 with Portugal. They surprised Portugal with a fantastic and organized defense, in addition to being quite dangerous in attack.
- 24. Switzerland:In group B, they drew 1-1 with Qatar. A big disappointment, the team created good chances, but wasted many opportunities in attack.
- 25. New Zealand:In group G, they drew 2-2 with Iran. A courageous performance that contradicts their status as the worst team in the tournament, revealing star Elijah Just.
- 26. Iran:In group G, they drew 2-2 with New Zealand. The team showed instability in defense and was lucky to get a point in the game.
- 27. Saudi Arabia:In group H, they drew 1-1 with Uruguay. A well-organized and dangerous team on counterattacks, the Saudis are no longer considered the “underdog” of the tournament.
- 28. Haiti:In group C, they lost 1-0 to Scotland. It gave Scotland a hard time, but they lacked the ability to finish the game, showing themselves to be strong and aggressive, but with little quality up front.
- 29. South Korea:In group A, they defeated the Czech Republic 2-1. They had moments of difficulty breaking through the opponent’s defense, but they were efficient in the decisive moments.
- 30. Uruguay:In group H, they drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia. The team had 28 shots, but only tied in the last minutes. Marcelo Bielsa’s team needs to improve its precision.
Evaluation of the teams that occupy positions 31 to 40
Follow the teams that faced the most challenges in the first round:
- 31. Türkiye:In group D, they lost 2-0 to Australia. It was dominated by Australia, even with more than 70% of the ball possession. It was not the ideal return to the World Cup for a team that finished third in 2002.
- 32. Austria:In group J, they defeated Jordan 3-1. The victory came with the help of an own goal and a penalty, with an uninspiring performance. The next challenge is against Argentina.
- 33. Ivory Coast:In group E, they defeated Ecuador 1-0. The team tried hard and ended up exhausted in their debut. Reserve Amad Diallo brought more creativity and is a new hope.
- 34. Ghana:In group L, they defeated Panama 1-0. They went through long periods of difficulty against Panama, but a goal in stoppage time secured the victory.
- 35. Algeria:In group J, they lost 3-0 to Argentina. It was completely dominated by Messi’s magic, not getting a single shot on goal.
- 36. Jordan:In group J, they lost 3-1 to Austria. He scored a beautiful goal, but never seemed capable of overcoming Austria, struggling to advance.
- 37. Bosnia and Herzegovina:In group B, they drew 1-1 with Canada. It looked like he would win his debut, but hope was lost due to a deflected shot.
- 38. Canada:In group B, they drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Playing at home, they only managed a draw at the end, also due to a deflected shot.
- 39. Iraq:In group I, they lost 4-1 to Norway. Few teams can stop Erling Haaland, and Iraq was definitely not one of them.
- 40. Ecuador:In group E, they lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast. Considered a candidate to go far, he disappointed in defeat despite creating some chances.
The last placed: from 41st to 48th position
The selections that close the first round list:
- 41. Czech Republic:In group A, they lost 2-1 to South Korea. Slow and lackluster, they wasted their advantage. He didn’t remember the Euro 96 team.
- 42. Uzbekistan:In group K, they lost 3-1 to Colombia. He showed courage and celebrated his first goal in a World Cup, but had difficulty containing Colombia’s dynamism.
- 43. South Africa:In group A, they lost 2-0 to Mexico. They were very generous with the host, offering little in attack, losing the ball easily and finishing with nine players.
- 44. Qatar:In group B, they drew 1-1 with Switzerland. A lucky draw, as it was dominated by Switzerland, who should have won easily.
- 45. Paraguay:In group D, they lost 4-1 to the United States. It was completely dominated by the United States and could have had an even worse score, with a questionable defensive style.
- 46. Tunisia:No grupo F, perdeu por 5 a 1 para a Suécia. He made history by firing his coach after the first match, indicating a very poor performance.
- 47. Panama:No grupo L, perdeu por 1 a 0 para Gana. He participated in one of the weakest games of the World Cup so far. He tried to play for a draw and was surprised by Ghana with a goal in stoppage time.
- 48. Curacao:No grupo E, perdeu por 7 a 1 para a Alemanha. He was beaten on his World Cup debut, but the moment he equalized with Germany in the first half will certainly be remembered.