World Cup 2026

Alexi Lalas, soccer analyst and former USMNT player, makes gives his 2026 World Cup power rankings 1 to 48

Lalas reveals his full 1 to 48 World Cup 2026 rankings, with some expected favorites and a few surprises included.

BOB FRID

Digital sports journalist

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: May 4th, 2026 12:03 EDT

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France are the strongest team heading into World Cup 2026, according to Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas.

It is not exactly a hot take from the former USMNT defender, who played at the 1994 tournament on home soil. Still, in his recently published power rankings for the expanded competition, there are several notable calls elsewhere.

France top Lalas’ personal rankings

Lalas places France at No. 1, ahead of Spain (No. 2) and England (No. 3) as his preferred favorites to lift the trophy next summer.

France have long been seen as one of the most complete squads in international football, and Lalas clearly views them as the team to beat.

United States lead Concacaf in his list

In Lalas’ rankings, the United States (12th) are the strongest side from Concacaf, narrowly ahead of Mexico (14th).

That places Mauricio Pochettino’s team just behind Belgium, who sit one spot higher in his list after thrashing the USMNT 5-2 in a friendly in March.

The United States are also ranked ahead of Morocco (12th), Uruguay (15th) and Norway (16th), with Erling Haaland’s side just behind them in the group of contenders outside the top tier.

Colombia above Argentina and Brazil

One of the more surprising parts of Lalas’ personal rankings is his view of South America.

He places Colombia (4th) as the strongest side from the region, ahead of Argentina (5th) and Brazil (7th), both of whom are more commonly placed among the top global favorites.

Optimism for US and Mexico

Lalas does not believe Group D should pose too many problems for the United States. He ranks Türkiye 21st, a place ahead of Canada, with Paraguay (26th) and Australia (36th) further back.

For Mexico, he is similarly optimistic. Their group includes South Korea (20th), Czechia (29th) and South Africa (45th), which he suggests is a manageable draw on paper.

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Alexi Lalas’ power rankings for World Cup 2026

1. France

2. Spain

3. England

4. Colombia

5. Argentina

6. Portugal

7. Brazil

8. Netherlands

9. Germany

10. Croatia

11. Belgium

12. United States

13. Morocco

14. Mexico

15. Uruguay

16. Norway

17. Ecuador

18. Japan

19. Switzerland

20. South Korea

21. Türkiye

22. Canada

23. Senegal

24. Austria

25. Sweden

26. Paraguay

27. Scotland

28. Ghana

29. Czechia

30. Iran

31. Saudi Arabia

32. Bosnia & Herzegovina

33. Algeria

34. Egypt

35. Ivory Coast

36. Australia

37. Jordan

38. Tunisia

39. Congo DR

40. Uzbekistan

41. Qatar

42. Iraq

43. New Zealand

44. Cape Verde

45. South Africa

46. Panama

47. Curaçao

48. Haiti