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It was a great day for two co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, with Canada dishing out an almighty 6-0 thrashing and Mexico becoming the first nation through to the knockout stage.
There was also a big win for Switzerland and a missed opportunity for the Czech Republic.
How did events on day eight affect our rankings?
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FIFA ranking: 3
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France’s litmus test provided positive results with an opening game 3-1 victory over Senegal. Unlike Spain and Brazil, two of the other fancied teams, they did not underwhelm.
After a stagnant first half, Mbappe clicked into gear despite being denied a penalty, and his long-range second goal took him past Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer.
Bradley Barcola scored France’s second and proved the team’s strength in depth, scoring off the bench. Against the team that beat Morocco in January’s Africa Cup of Nations final, this was a performance to cement their place at the top of our rankings.
FIFA ranking: 1
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At his sixth World Cup, Messi still has magic in his boots. Watching him score his first hat-trick at the tournament at 38 years old was goosebump-inducing.
Could Algeria’s goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France legend Zinedine, have done better on two of the three goals? Yes. Does that matter? No. He probably was not helped by having a fractured jaw, in fairness.
The main doubts about Argentina revolve around them having an ageing squad. It is a longer tournament than ever before and so their staying power will be tested, but what a start this was.
They will be well aware no team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
FIFA ranking: 4
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If that’s what Thomas Tuchel’s England are going to look like, sign us up for more. The nation’s star forwards flourished in their 4-2 win over Croatia as Harry Kane registered a double and Jude Bellingham put England back in front after half-time, before Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score a fourth.
This wasn’t a win against anybody, either. Croatia are a top 15-ranked nation whose goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, had to bail them out on several occasions.
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Questions still have to be answered defensively, but England could not have started in much more exciting fashion. They remain third in our rankings behind the 2022 World Cup finalists.
FIFA ranking: 10
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For a nation like Germany, it’s either win the World Cup or nothing, so in terms of their prospects of achieving their goal in 2026, we didn’t glean much from a 7-1 win over minnows Curacao. However, we were offered evidence that Germany’s imaginative attack will be one of the best to watch at the tournament, but their defending might leave much to be desired.
FIFA ranking: 2
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As Spain proved in 2010 when losing their opening game but going on to win the tournament (see also Argentina in 2022), it’s not how you start but how you finish. Still, a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde was a humiliating and hugely disappointing result for the Euro 2024 champions. Unimaginative, uninspiring, predictable and they certainly didn’t look like World Cup winners in the making. Are they just going to rely on Lamine Yamal? There are worse strategies, but perhaps the unfit 18-year-old can’t do it all himself. Our pre-tournament favourites have work to do.
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Brazil didn’t set the world alight in their opening match.
Carlo Ancelotti made two changes at half-time, an indication they aren’t fine-tuned as yet. Those changes came at full-back and in midfield, two areas of concern for this Brazil team that were not dispelled by the 1-1 draw against Morocco.
They can still go on to top Group C, with games against Haiti and Scotland to follow. A silver lining was Vinicius Jr’s emphatic finish, an encouraging start to the tournament for one of their key players.
FIFA ranking: 8
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A decent showing against Japan that showcased their physicality, strength from attacking set pieces and occasional brilliance from forward players, but also highlighted weaknesses in the depth of their squad (their levels noticeably dropped after five substitutions were made). Ronald Koeman’s decision to throw on an extra defender for the last 10 minutes didn’t pay off when they succumbed to a late equaliser.
FIFA ranking: 13
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Mexico became the first team through to the knockout stage, with a 1-0 victory over South Korea ensuring their progress to the last 32 and also guaranteeing top spot in Group A. That is crucial not only because they’ll play a third-placed side in the next round but it also means that tie will be in Mexico City… and their last-16 tie too.
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They weren’t exactly scintillating against South Korea — or against South Africa in their opening game — but two wins and two clean sheets represents a perfect start for the co-hosts.
FIFA ranking: 7
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Morocco’s draw with Brazil proved they remain one of football’s heavyweights after their semi-final run at Qatar 2022. They looked comfortable going toe-to-toe with the World Cup’s most successful nation.
The team has new talent since their historic run four years ago. Eighteen-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who committed to Morocco after appearing for the French under-21s, had a standout game in midfield. Bouaddi demanded the ball and controlled the tempo.
Next up, they take on Scotland on Friday.
FIFA ranking: 14
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A team of attacking talent and willing runners aplenty. It wasn’t as convincing a victory against Uzbekistan as they might have hoped, but a win puts them top of Group K above Portugal and DR Congo.
Cucho Hernandez’s assist for their third goal exemplified their work rate as he first fell over, then clawed himself back up, before delivering a pinpoint cross to Jaminton Campaz.
FIFA ranking: 5
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Portugal took the lead after six minutes against DR Congo and duly kept the ball well enough, albeit without much purpose. But they struggled to reignite attacking intent after Yoane Wissa’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time.
Their midfield lived up to the hype, easily maintaining possession, but the forwards and defence were less convincing, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing the full 90 minutes. Ruben Dias needs to recover from a contact injury to make the back line more formidable.
FIFA ranking: 11
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Finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, Croatia showed moments of quality against England but ultimately had less firepower.
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Captain Luka Modric, now 40, was substituted before the hour mark and has less influence on games these days. Their golden generation, who succeeded at the last two editions, have faded and new players will need to make their name against Ghana and Panama.
FIFA ranking: 16
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A real mixed bag against Saudi Arabia in their opening game; dreadful in the first half when they played within themselves and barely offered a threat with Darwin Nunez ineffective (and subbed off at half-time), but much better after the break and deserved their late equaliser from Maxi Araujo, amassing 27 shots. With only six goals in their past eight matches, goalscoring remains a problem.
FIFA ranking: 15
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It would have been harsh to drop Senegal out of the top 15 after a loss to France, the expected outcome.
Coming into the tournament after winning AFCON (sort of) earlier this year, Senegal can be encouraged by their first-half performance and substitute Ibrahim Mbaye’s nice late goal, even if it was quickly overshadowed by Mbappe.
FIFA ranking: 29
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Still searching for their first World Cup victory, 92 years after their first appearance. Egypt were well backed in the stands against Belgium and looked set to end their drought after taking the lead through Emam Ashour’s thunderous strike, but a poor second half left them hanging on for a creditable point. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush looked sprightly and it’s New Zealand next up on Monday. If Egypt can’t finally win then, perhaps they never will.
FIFA ranking: 17
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The USMNT’s stunning 4-1 victory over Paraguay suggested their ceiling may be higher than many of us thought.
Most encouragingly, though, Folarin Balogun looked every inch the top-class No 9 that the U.S. have been searching for (for generations), scoring twice — including a ridiculously good curled finish on his weaker left foot into the top corner for his second.
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What’s more, long-vaunted talent Gio Reyna demonstrated his gifts on the world stage with a beautiful trivela strike in second-half stoppage time. Christian Pulisic was taken off at half-time over a potential calf problem with the U.S. 3-0 up, though both he and manager Mauricio Pochettino suggested it was precautionary.
Friday brings their second group game, against Australia. Win and a nation might start to get very excited.
FIFA ranking: 22
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A desperately disappointing performance and result against Mexico which leaves their knockout stage qualification in peril going into their final match against South Africa. They barely created any chances in Mexico City, with Son Heung-min given the hook after less than an hour. They clearly have the talent and should beat South Africa, but it’s time for their big players to step up now.
FIFA ranking: 9
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In the list of pre-tournament favourites, Belgium were at the very lower end of the fancied sides, with their squad generally considered to be a bit one-paced and lacking in match-winning stars. Their opener against Egypt did nothing to dispel those thoughts. Jeremy Doku tried his best, but otherwise Belgium looked pretty ordinary — at least in terms of pinpointing teams that can go far in this competition — when claiming a 1-1 draw against the North Africans.
FIFA ranking: 19
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At 20 years and 247 days, a star was born in Johan Manzambi as Switzerland left it late with a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second match. Freiburg’s Manzambi became the youngest player to score a double as a substitute in a men’s World Cup match. Switzerland face Canada next, knowing a draw sees them through but victory will mean they finish top of the group.
FIFA ranking: 33
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Got their World Cup off to a dream start when Manchester United’s Amad scored a late winner against Ecuador. Having never progressed from the group stage of a World Cup, Ivory Coast now have a 95 per cent chance of getting to the knockout stage, needing to beat Curacao to guarantee progression to the last-32 stage.
FIFA ranking: 30
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An extraordinary result against Qatar in their second group game, dishing out a 6-0 walloping to break their World Cup duck (they had never won a game at the tournament before) in some style. Almost everything went right for Canada in Vancouver as they showcased the aggressive attacking game Jesse Marsch wants, with Jonathan David netting a hat-trick as they humbled Qatar. Ismael Kone’s injury was the exception and is a blow, but Canada have arrived at the World Cup.
A draw against Switzerland in their final match will take the co-hosts through to the knockout stage.
FIFA ranking: 18
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Probably underperformed against the Netherlands and yet still claimed a notable result.
Having beaten Brazil and England in the past year, they are clearly a very dangerous, technically gifted and compact team, but injuries to key players Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and Wataru Endo lessen their chances of doing something special in the coming weeks. A convincing victory against Tunisia next time out would really get their tournament going.
FIFA ranking: 38
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Blimey. We didn’t quite know what to expect from Sweden, who lost twice to Kosovo during qualification but clearly have a very talented side… well, judging by their clinical 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia (13 shots, 1.37xG, five goals), Graham Potter has got the team working well together, especially the front two of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. A dark horse?
FIFA ranking: 31
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Norway were always going to score goals with Erling Haaland up front. The Manchester City striker netted twice as they beat Iraq 4-1. From set pieces, Norway looked giant, with Leo Ostigard nodding in their third goal from a Martin Odegaard corner.
Games against the higher-ranked Senegal and France should show how high their ceiling can be.
FIFA ranking: 27
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Australia only managed 28 per cent possession against Turkey, but that was all they needed for a 2-0 win.
Pragmatic coach Tony Popovic has made them hard to break down, and this is a side that could exceed expectations. While Turkey have star names in attack, it was Australia’s 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda who produced the game’s magic moment for the opening goal.
FIFA ranking: 24
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Their fans created a sea of yellow in Philadelphia but the result was an almighty damp squib, with a 1-0 defeat by Ivory Coast bringing an unbeaten run which lasted 19 matches and almost two years to an abrupt end. They were incredibly unlucky in hitting the woodwork three times but now may require a draw against Germany if they’re to get out of the group.
FIFA ranking: 25
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Job done for Austria with a 3-1 victory over World Cup debutants Jordan in their first game. Despite it being their first World Cup since 1998, they have a team with plenty of experience of playing high-level European club football.
It helps when you win with a bit of pizzazz, and Romano Schmid’s opener was a goal to remember. Striker Marko Arnautovic, 37, showed some sharpness and scored a penalty. They should now be in a battle with Algeria for second place in Group J.
FIFA ranking: 73
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Twenty-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi turned a disappointing performance into a crucial win with one kick of the ball in stoppage time against Panama.
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Ghana’s quality in their opener is unlikely to have made England or Croatia nervous, but a win puts them in a strong position for progression and should be a springboard for their tournament.
FIFA ranking: 28
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It’s not much of a crime to succumb to Argentina and Messi, arguably the greatest player of all time.
Fans might be encouraged to know that head coach Vladimir Petkovic has faith in the new guard, starting 24-year-old Anis Hadj Moussa over the older Riyad Mahrez in their opener. For Algeria, games against Jordan and Austria look far more winnable.
FIFA ranking: 23
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Dubbed one of the tournament’s dark horses, Turkey were shocked in their opening game. After losing to Australia, if they progress from Group D, it now looks likely to be in third place unless they trouble the United States. This would mean a tougher knockout draw.
This team does have quality, creating nice moments with their 72 per cent possession, but they will need their key players Baris Alper Yilmaz and Arda Guler to deliver some much-needed end product.
FIFA ranking: 41
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Friday’s game against Morocco looks crucial for Scotland. Can they avoid defeat and give themselves a huge chance of making the last 32?
After beating Haiti, Scotland lead Group C, which contains two top-10 ranked FIFA teams (Brazil and Morocco). Not bad going.
Haiti were able to trouble Scotland at times but John McGinn provided a first World Cup goal since 1998 and a 1-0 win, their first at the finals since 1990.
FIFA ranking: 20
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After an unfathomably difficult build-up, Iran could finally concentrate on football with their opening match against New Zealand. Given the difference in experience and quality between the two teams, a 2-2 draw was a disappointment despite twice coming from behind. It leaves Iran needing a result against either Belgium or Egypt (or both) to progress.
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FIFA ranking: 60
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Organised, well-coached and clearly playing to a plan, Saudi Arabia almost caused a big shock at the start of their second successive World Cup, having beaten Argentina in 2022. A point against Uruguay, despite taking the lead, was still a great result and means victory against Cape Verde in their final match almost certainly gets them out of the group. But before then, can they trouble Spain?
FIFA ranking: 40
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Their opening match against the U.S. made for a very disappointing return to the World Cup after a 16-year wait. Paraguay were played off the park, seemingly lacking the organisation and structure that propelled them to a sixth-placed finish in South American qualifying, where they ended level on points with Brazil and beat reigning continental and world champions Argentina.
Playing against the hosts is never easy, but now their chances of qualification for the knockout stages are in peril.
FIFA ranking: 85
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Still without a World Cup win but they belied their pre-tournament expectations by claiming an impressive 2-2 draw against Iran in their opening match. Elijah Just had millions Googling his name (and clubs no doubt checking his availability) after scoring twice, both expertly set up by Chris Wood, as New Zealand extended their unbeaten World Cup run to four matches (they drew all three games in their last appearance in 2010).
FIFA ranking: 34
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Panama lost in the most gut-wrenching way against Ghana with one of the last kicks of the game after a performance which deserved a point.
Still, the overall quality of the match was not great and, although Panama had the larger share of possession, none of their chances was clear-cut with a collective xG of 0.73.
FIFA ranking: 43
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Looked to be in control against South Africa, having scored the fastest goal of the World Cup so far, with Michal Sadilek netting after five minutes and seven seconds, but failed to subdue their opponents, who deservedly equalised seven minutes from full-time. A 1-1 draw did neither team any good and the Czech Republic must now beat co-hosts Mexico on home soil to reach the knockout stages. A tall order.
FIFA ranking: 64
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It’s win-or-bust for Bosnia-Herzegovina after their late collapse against Switzerland. They face Qatar in Seattle on Wednesday, with the winner almost guaranteed to progress on four points.
FIFA ranking: 67
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A point against Uruguay or Saudi Arabia in Group H would have been a glorious achievement, but to hold 2010 winners and reigning European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw was Cape Verde’s equivalent of winning the World Cup. It was an extraordinary result and one they fully merited for a gutsy, organised display of 100 per cent, wholehearted commitment, backed up by magnificent 40-year-old ’keeper Vozinha, who used to play in the Angolan league. Proper World Cup.
FIFA ranking: 56
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Their match against Canada could not have gone any worse. Six goals conceded, two players sent off… and yet, their task for their final group game against Bosnia-Herzegovina is very clear; win and they’ll almost certainly be through to the knockout stage on four points, despite their lowly position in these rankings.
FIFA ranking: 46
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DR Congo’s recognisable names, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Wissa, all produced good performances in their opener.
They could not get near Portugal’s midfield at times, but it hardly mattered because they were defensively sound, and Wissa, despite only scoring once in the league for Newcastle United this season, took his chance well.
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That draw with Portugal meant they took a big jump up in the rankings, above teams who lost, to recognise that we had them a few places too low going into that match. They still need to win to progress, and Uzbekistan have proved to be no walkovers.
FIFA ranking: 50
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Uzbekistan put on a performance their nation can be proud of on World Cup debut and were unlucky to lose 3-1 against Colombia.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the country’s first World Cup goal, and Bekhruz Karimov could have wrapped up the goal of the tournament with a thunderous strike that hit the crossbar.
FIFA ranking: 61
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An improved performance against the Czech Republic and a spirited comeback to claim a late draw, but they seriously needed to win that one. South Africa will now need to upset the odds and beat South Korea to reach the knockout stage.
FIFA ranking: 45
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Didn’t concede a single goal in their 10 qualifiers but were trounced 5-1 by Sweden in their opening match, in what was supposed to be their least difficult game in Group F. Head coach Sabri Lamouchi’s decision to cast aside several experienced players amid a raft of changes since taking over in January didn’t pay off and he has, incredibly, been sacked, with ex-Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard parachuted in as his replacement.
FIFA ranking: 63
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A first World Cup game, and a first World Cup goal for Jordan. Plenty to celebrate despite losing 3-1 to Austria.
Manager Jamal Sellami told his staff to calm down after their goal, to act like they’ve been here before. But they haven’t, so every game is a learning curve. Jordan will need to collect some points in Group J to move up our rankings.
FIFA ranking: 82
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Livano Comenencia produced one of the best moments of the tournament so far, firing the smallest World Cup nation ever level for 17 minutes against four-time winners Germany and who knows what else they would have done without that pesky hydration break. They managed eight shots and, despite the scoreline, didn’t embarrass themselves. Having caused the mighty Germany problems, they deserve to move up a place. Will fancy their chances of more shock moments against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
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FIFA ranking: 57
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Iraq imposed themselves physically against Norway in the first half, and Aymen Hussein, who was held for hours by U.S. immigration officials when he arrived in the country, scored a towering header. But a sloppy backpass and slow reaction from goalkeeper Jalal Hassan gifted Haaland his second goal and restored Norway’s lead before half-time, and confidence was depleted with Norway’s third and fourth goals.
They will do well to earn a point in Group I, with remaining games against France and Senegal.
FIFA ranking: 83
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Haiti’s best chance of a result in Group C was likely going to be against Scotland, with their other opponents Morocco and Brazil.
As the lowest-ranking team, they produced a spirited performance that was more encouraging than the manner in which other teams lost. But succumbing 1-0 does not justify a move up our rankings, and they will need to keep a competitive spirit in their tough remaining group games.
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