The 2026 World Cup is finally here, and the first round of games gave fans plenty to shout about. For the United States, it was a dream opening. Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT thumped Paraguay 4-1 and now sit just outside the top 10. At the very top, France have stormed to number one, while reigning champions Argentina surged on the back of a Lionel Messi masterclass. As The Athletic noted, one round in and the picture is already shifting fast. Here is where all the big nations stand, and the stories that matter most.
| The Quick Read After round one of the 2026 World Cup, France top the power rankings, with Argentina second (Messi hat-trick) and pre-tournament favorites Spain tumbling to third after a shock draw. England and Portugal round out the top five. The co-host USMNT impressed in a 4-1 win over Paraguay and sit 12th, just outside the top 10. Cabo Verde are the surprise of the tournament so far. |
USMNT: A Dream Start on Home Soil
Let us start where American fans are smiling. The United States could not have asked for a better opening night. Playing at home, Pochettino’s side dismantled Paraguay 4-1 in a performance full of energy and belief.
It was exactly the statement the hosts needed. The win lifts the USMNT to 12th in the rankings, agonizingly close to the top 10. They have a chance to climb higher when they face Australia in their second group game. For a team carrying the weight of a home World Cup, this was a confident, convincing first step.
| Why It Matters Home advantage is real, and the USMNT just used it. A 4-1 opener builds momentum and settles nerves. It also tells the rest of the field that the co-hosts came to compete, not just to make up the numbers. |
The Top 12 After Round One
Here is the full picture at the top of the table, based on the latest power rankings after every team’s first match. The change column shows how far each side moved from the pre-tournament order.
| Rk | Team | Change | First Game |
| 1 | France | Up 1 | Beat Senegal (Mbappe brace) |
| 2 | Argentina | Up 1 | Beat Algeria 3-0 (Messi hat-trick) |
| 3 | Spain | Down 2 | Drew Cabo Verde 1-1 |
| 4 | England | Up 2 | Beat Croatia |
| 5 | Portugal | Down 1 | Drew DR Congo |
| 6 | Brazil | Down 1 | Drew Morocco |
| 7 | Morocco | Up 2 | Drew Brazil |
| 8 | Norway | Even | Haaland scored twice |
| 9 | Netherlands | Down 2 | Drew Japan 2-2 |
| 10 | Germany | Even | Beat Curacao 7-1 |
| 11 | Colombia | Up 2 | Beat Uzbekistan (Luis Diaz) |
| 12 | United States | Even | Beat Paraguay 4-1 |
The Contenders: Who Looks the Part
A few heavyweights sent an early warning to the rest of the field.
- France (1st): the new team to beat. They looked the strongest side of the round, and Kylian Mbappe opened with a brace against a tough Senegal team.
- Argentina (2nd): the holders rolled to a 3-0 win over Algeria. More on the Messi magic below.
- England (4th): Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Croatia and look dangerous, with Harry Kane already scoring like clockwork.
- Germany (10th): a 7-1 demolition of Curacao flatters them a little, but the talent is obvious.
The Messi Moment
If the World Cup is a stage, Lionel Messi still owns the spotlight. His opening-game hat-trick against Algeria did more than seal a 3-0 win. It drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. As the BBC highlighted, the 38-year-old is aging like fine wine on the biggest stage of all.
| The Standout Messi was not alone. Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe all netted twice in round one. The superstars showed up, and that is exactly what the World Cup is built for. |
The Shocks: Favorites Stumble
Now for the drama, because round one served up some stunners that reshaped the rankings.
- Spain (down to 3rd): the pre-tournament favorites were held to a shock 1-1 draw by debutants Cabo Verde. Their possession led nowhere, and stars like Lamine Yamal could not break through.
- Portugal (down to 5th): Cristiano Ronaldo could not inspire his side in a flat 1-1 draw against DR Congo. It was a special night for the Congolese, playing their first World Cup game since 1974.
- Brazil (down to 6th): a goalless stalemate with Morocco was a disappointing start for a Carlo Ancelotti team led by Vinicius Junior.
- Belgium (down 6): the biggest faller of the round, as the golden generation looked tired in a draw.
The Surprise Package: Cabo Verde
Every World Cup has a fairy tale, and this one belongs to Cabo Verde. The tiny island nation, playing in its first ever World Cup, held mighty Spain to a 1-1 draw. That result rocketed them up the rankings as the biggest mover of the round. Their 40-year-old goalkeeper became an instant cult hero. It is the kind of story that makes the tournament special.
| Quick Take Expanding the World Cup to 48 teams was meant to create exactly these moments. Cabo Verde, DR Congo, and Qatar all grabbed unforgettable results in round one. The underdogs clearly came to play. |
What to Watch in Round Two
The first games told us a lot, but the second round will start to separate the genuine contenders from the pretenders. A few things to keep an eye on:
- Can the USMNT crack the top 10? A result against Australia would push the hosts into elite company.
- Will Spain respond? Favorites do not stay down for long, and a big win would calm the nerves.
- How far can the underdogs ride? Cabo Verde and others will look to back up their heroics.
One round in, the 2026 World Cup is already living up to the hype. France have set the pace, and Messi is rewriting the record books. The favorites have been given a scare, and the co-host USMNT have announced themselves with a statement win. The beauty of these power rankings is that they will look completely different in a week. For the full team-by-team breakdown, see the rankings from CBS Sports and other outlets tracking every twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Number One in the World Cup 2026 Power Rankings
After the first round of group games, France sit top of the power rankings. They looked the strongest team of the round, beating Senegal with a Kylian Mbappe brace. That edged them ahead of Argentina and a stumbling Spain.
Where Are the USMNT Ranked
The United States are 12th, just outside the top 10, after a dream 4-1 win over Paraguay under Mauricio Pochettino. A strong result against Australia could push them higher.
Why Did Spain Drop in the Rankings
Spain came in as pre-tournament favorites but were held to a shock 1-1 draw by World Cup debutants Cabo Verde. The disappointing result dropped them to third behind France and Argentina.
What Did Lionel Messi Do
Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria. At 38, that drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Who Is the Biggest Surprise of the World Cup So Far
Cabo Verde, playing in their first ever World Cup, are the standout story after holding favorites Spain to a 1-1 draw. They were also the biggest climbers in the power rankings.
When Does the 2026 World Cup Take Place
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is the first 48-team World Cup.
