Ahead of the 2026 World Cup that will start on June 11 jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, The Athletic, one of the leading publications of the international sports press, evaluated the 48 teams participating in the tournament one by one and published a power list. In the list signed by Nick Miller and Tim Spiers, Spain, which has not seen a defeat since March 2024, settled at the top.
The first 12 places of the list were formed as follows: Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Colombia, Croatia, Uruguay and Morocco. European giants made up 6 of the first 8 places, while Argentina and Brazil from the South American front were at the top. Morocco took 12th place this time after the semi-final performance in 2022.
The ranking from 13 to 24 is also striking. Senegal 13th, Egypt 14th, South Korea 15th, Belgium 16th, Ecuador 17th, Norway 18th, Mexico 19th, Ivory Coast 20th, Switzerland 21st, USA 22nd, Japan 23rd and Turkey 24th. Turkey under Vincenzo Montella's management was placed at the end of the upper-middle group in this ranking that will directly determine its position in the World Cup; the crescent-and-star team came to the tournament by winning the UEFA Play-off D.
From 25 to 36 in the list, Australia, Algeria, Austria, Ghana, Canada, Paraguay, Iran, Sweden, Panama, Scotland, New Zealand and Tunisia took place. In the last section of the list (37-48), South Africa, Qatar, Czech Republic, New Caledonia, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, DR Congo, Cape Verde, Iraq, Haiti and Suriname are found. Teams such as New Caledonia, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Curaçao are participating in the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The Athletic's placing of Spain at the top is no surprise. The team under Luis de la Fuente's management has not lost any official match since winning Euro 2024; they have a generation full of names such as 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Pedri, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams. The first World Cup in history with 48 teams will be completed with the final to be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
Source: The Athletic (Nick Miller, Tim Spiers).
Image: beinsports.com.tr
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