World Cup 2026 power rankings: All 48 teams rated after opening round of matches (opens original article in a new tab)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening matches saw strong performances from Argentina, France, and Spain, with notable achievements by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while some teams like Portugal and England showed mixed results.

• Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Algeria, reaching 16 World Cup goals to equal Miroslav Klose's record.
• France defeated Senegal 3-1, with Kylian Mbappe scoring 14 goals in 15 World Cup games, while Spain struggled against Cape Verde but remain top contenders.
• Portugal drew with DR Congo, with Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the oldest outfield player in World Cup history, but their attacking performance was criticized.