Alexi Lalas, a FOX Soccer analyst, has released his personal post-World Cup power rankings, evaluating the top 10 men's national soccer teams. Lalas's rankings differ from FIFA's official list, emphasizing a 'gut feel' approach over complex formulas.
Top of the Rankings
Spain secured the top position in Lalas's rankings, following their victory in the 2026 World Cup. The team achieved this feat with a remarkable defensive record, conceding only one goal in eight matches throughout the tournament. Key players like midfield maestro Rodri, who earned the Golden Ball for best player, and goalkeeper Unai Simón, recognized as the best keeper, were instrumental in their success. Spain's unbeaten streak has now extended to 40 games, including a recent thrilling 3-2 victory over England at Wembley in Nations League action.
France is ranked second. Despite a semifinal loss to Spain, France showcased considerable star power with forwards Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. Mbappé led the tournament with 10 goals, setting a new World Cup record with 22 career goals. Zinedine Zidane has taken over as manager, and the team secured four wins in its recent matches, even with Mbappé missing time due to injury.
England comes in at third. The team reached the semifinals, their best performance since 1990, before falling to Argentina and then France. Harry Kane scored six goals, while Jude Bellingham emerged as a standout player. The team is now managed by Thomas Tuchel, and despite a September loss to Spain, expectations remain high for future tournaments.
Teams in Transition
Portugal is ranked fourth. Following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the squad during the September international window due to disagreements with manager Jorge Jesus, Portugal has shown promising results. The team won four consecutive Nations League games, including two victories against Norway. Lalas suggests that the team may perform even better without the pressure associated with Ronaldo's presence.
Argentina, a team that reached back-to-back World Cup finals and won in 2022, is placed fifth. Lionel Messi, after a remarkable tournament where he scored 8 goals, played his final match for Argentina in a send-off game against Benin. Lalas notes that while Argentina possesses significant talent with players like Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernández, the departure of Messi, who he believes carried the team in many ways, creates an unfillable void. He posits that while Argentina will remain a top-10 team, they face a unique challenge in transitioning without their most influential player.
Brazil is ranked sixth. Despite individual talent like winger Vinícius Jr. and manager Carlo Ancelotti, the team has not won a World Cup in 24 years. Their recent performance saw them exit the tournament in the round of 16 against Norway. Recent friendly wins over Australia and India have not fully addressed lingering questions about key areas, particularly defense.
Other Notable Teams
Belgium, ranked seventh, is described as a "good solid team" that proved its capabilities, notably in a dominant performance against the U.S. men's national team in the round of 16. While the "Golden Generation" players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are aging, emerging talents such as winger Jérémy Doku are rising.
The Netherlands, at number eight, is noted for its entertaining play and strong fanbase. The team's tournament ended in the round of 32 against Morocco. The recent appointment of Xavi Hernandez as manager has started positively, with two wins and two draws in Nations League play.
Morocco, ranked ninth, made history in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the men's World Cup semifinals. The team continues to rely on talent developed in European leagues. They recently secured two wins in African Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
Colombia rounds out the top 10. Despite high expectations and the presence of Liverpool and Bayern Munich attacker Luis Diaz, their World Cup run ended in the round of 16 against Switzerland. Recent friendly results have been mixed, but Lalas believes they could be South America's toughest side.