Quarterfinals Power Rankings Unveiled
The round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was filled with exciting soccer and epic moments, setting the stage for the quarterfinals. With only eight teams remaining, the FOX Sports World Cup NOW crew, consisting of Melissa Ortiz, Maurice Edu, Brad Guzan, and Sacha Kljestan, assessed the field to determine their power rankings of the remaining teams.
The crew started by ranking Switzerland at No. 8, with Kljestan stating, "I think Switzerland, that just put us to sleep, can be No. 8." Edu agreed, noting that Belgium should move up after Switzerland needed penalty kicks to beat Colombia, resulting in Belgium moving up a spot.
Belgium, initially ranked eighth, jumped to seventh following a 4-1 win over co-hosts United States in the round of 16. The team has shown its ability to score in bunches but appeared vulnerable early against Senegal in the round of 32, requiring a comeback to advance.
Top Teams Emerge
Norway secured the No. 6 position with unanimous consent from the World Cup NOW crew, with Edu leading a Viking row with his crewmates. Norway advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in its federation's history after Erling Haaland scored twice in its round of 16 win over Brazil.
Morocco took the No. 5 spot, with Ortiz warning that the team should not be underestimated. Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals after its 3-0 win over Canada and will now face France in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The debate intensified as the panel examined the top four teams, starting with a close comparison between England at No. 4 and the third-ranked team. Kljestan stated, "Our decision between number three and number four was tough, because I think England has also shown championship quality, and so I think there's a small separation between the one and two teams and the three and four teams."
Edu pointed to England's recent performance with its 3-2 win over Mexico, highlighting the narrow margin between the two sides. "The biggest to me, between Argentina and England, because I was at that game in Mexico City, England were impressive to be able to do what hadn't been done since 2013 in a competitive match at the Azteca, which is to win, there was impressive," Edu said.
Despite England's heroic performance, the crew gave Argentina the edge at No. 3 due to its tournament history and management. Edu noted, "What separates Argentina? Obviously, it's Messi, but it's that they've done it already. They come in here as a defending champion, so they know that winning pedigree, they know what it takes."
Argentina has won all five matches it's played at this World Cup, although its last two victories were dramatic. Guzan added that it has "been the Messi show," and indicated that the rest of the roster must contribute more as the tournament progresses. "They're going to need some help from others," Guzan said. "There's other guys on that team, they're going to have to step up."
Spain secured the No. 2 spot in the power rankings, largely due to its defensive efficiency throughout the competition. Edu stated, "I think Spain has been incredible. There's still more, there's still more to be seen from this team, but they've been incredibly efficient. The fact that they're in a quarterfinal without having conceded a goal, that's where [I say] this is impressive."
France took the No. 1 spot on the board, maintaining its status as tournament favorites. Kljestan said, "And they've lived up to the expectations that everybody's put on them. They were the odds-on favorite. They were the team that all of us, I believe, at this little round table has picked to win the tournament, and they've been the best attacking team. So, they're No. 1 — best attacking team, number two, best defending team in this tournament."
With the rankings set, the analysts discussed whether any of the lower-ranked teams could challenge the top four for the title. Kljestan expressed skepticism about the lower tier's chances of sustaining success through the remaining rounds. "I personally don't think that any of the teams outside the top four can win this World Cup," Kljestan said. "You have to win three more games from this point on, and I don't see any of those teams knocking off any of the top four teams, let alone knocking them off once and then having to do two more."
