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.
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.
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
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