The Guardian has published its team power rankings for the last eight of the 2026 World Cup, assessing the sides that came through the last-16 round before the quarter-finals. England are the biggest climbers among the leading nations, rising four places to fourth after a dramatic victory at the Azteca Stadium, while France, Spain and Argentina hold firm at the top of the list.

France retain first place after a bruising win over Paraguay, with Spain second on the back of a fifth consecutive clean sheet against Portugal, and holders Argentina third following a stirring comeback from a goal down against Egypt, inspired by Lionel Messi. England's rise came via a chaotic win in which they held on with 10 men before a hostile crowd of more than 80,000, with Jordan Pickford and substitute Dan Burn praised alongside Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Morocco stay fifth after knocking out co-hosts Canada, Norway climb to sixth thanks to Ørjan Nyland and Erling Haaland's win over Brazil, Belgium jump six places to seventh after beating the USA, and Switzerland rise to eighth having edged Colombia on penalties. Mexico, by contrast, drop five places following their exit.