The World Cup Stage has Been Cut in Half, With Some Surprises
With the group stage over, the World Cup now enters the knockout games with the final 16 teams battling it out. There were some surprising omissions, with teams like Germany, Belgium, and Uruguay all failing to make it past the groups. On the other hand, teams like Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and Australia were all pleasant surprises and punched their ticket to the sweet 16. How do these teams rank moving forward in the World Cup?
16. Australia (FIFA World Ranking: 38, 6 points from Group D, plays Argentina next)
Australia looked to be like a clear out after losing their first Group D match against France 4-1, but they were able to muster out 1-0 victories over both Tunisia and Denmark to get the right to be crushed by Argentina in the round of 16. They have by far the weakest roster remaining in the World Cup.
15. South Korea (FIFA World Ranking: 28, 4 points from Group H, plays Brazil next)
Uruguay was just minutes away from advancing ahead of South Korea before Heung Min Son found Hee Chan Hwang for a game-changing goal in the 91st minute against Portugal. Son and South Korea scratched their way past the group stage, but Son does not have nearly enough help to match up with Brazil next game.
14. Poland (FIFA World Ranking: 26, 4 points from Group C, plays France next)
Poland is yet another team that just squeaked by to get the #2 spot in Group C. Held scoreless in two of three group stage games, Robert Lewandowski can only do so much with lackluster midfield play. Against Argentina, Poland was outshot 23-4 and had zero shots on goal. Their matchup doesn’t get any easier with France on Sunday.
13. United States (FIFA World Ranking: 16, 4 points from Group B, plays Netherlands next)
Some may have the USA higher in their power rankings, but with the lack of experience, questionable coaching, and some talent disparity, it is tough to have them ranked much higher than this. Regardless, they have proven to be able to hang with tough opponents like England and look to give the Netherlands a run for their money in the round of 16.
12. Senegal (FIFA World Ranking: 18, 6 points from Group A, plays England next)
After news that Sadio Mane would miss most of this Wold Cup, if not all of it, many people thought Ecuador may grab the 2nd spot in group A, but Senegal showed that they are more than just Mane. Led by two Chelsea players in CB Koulibay and GK Mendy, it will be difficult for England to score, but it will all come down to if Senegal can capitalize their offensive chances.
11. Switzerland (FIFA World Ranking: 15, 6 points from Group G, plays Portugal next)
The Swiss have had a very solid World Cup thus far, beating Cameroon and Serbia and losing just 1-0 against the favorites Brazil. Breel Embolo is having a bit of a breakout, but the Swiss still look to be slight underdogs when they face off with Portugal next.
10. Japan (FIFA World Ranking: 24, 6 points from Group E, plays Croatia next)
Perhaps the most feel good story of the World Cup so far has been Japan making comebacks to upset both Germany and Spain 2-1 in each contest. They may not have as much pure talent as Switzerland or Senegal, but they are extremely well-coached, disciplined, and never seem to panic after conceding first. They get the 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia on Monday.
9. Morocco (FIFA World Ranking: 22, 7 points from Group F, plays Spain next)
Morocco would not have been the team most picked to dominate Group F, but here we are. Tying Croatia and beating both Canada and Belgium means that they tied for the most points throughout the group stage. They have an incredibly stout defense, allowing just one goal thus far, and will now see if they can keep their momentum going against Spain in the round of 16.
8. Croatia (FIFA World Ranking: 12, 5 points from Group F, plays Japan next)
It could be fair to say that Morocco deserves this spot after better results in Group F, but Croatia and Luka Modric have proven that they can make deep runs and have slightly more talent. They have played two 0-0 games already in the World Cup, but did crush Canada 4-1, so the offense has been inconsistent to say the least. They play Japan next in a fun matchup.
7. Portugal (FIFA World Ranking: 9, 6 points from Group H, plays Switzerland next)
Don’t read too much into the loss to South Korea. Entering the match, Portugal had already sealed their spot in the round of 16 after outplaying both Ghana and Uruguay. Ronaldo has been in the spotlight, but five different players have found the net for Portugal, so they are a very balanced team with many scoring options. They get Switzerland on Tuesday.
6. Spain (FIFA World Ranking: 7, 4 points from Group E, plays Morocco next)
Many thought Spain might be world-beaters and the dark horse to win the World Cup following their 7-0 massacre over Costa Rica. Since then, however, they have looked less dominant and blown two leads against Germany and Japan. They look to turn the tides against Morocco.
5. Netherlands (FIFA World Ranking: 8, 7 points from group A, plays United States next)
Netherlands has flown under the radar for most of this World Cup, just silently taking care of business. Their 7 points through three games ties them for the most, and they have only allowed one goal. With that being said, they haven’t even played their best, which makes them a promising possible contender. They play the USA Saturday in what should be a win.
4. England (FIFA World Ranking: 5, 7 points from Group B, plays Senegal next)
Another team who left the group stages with 7 points was England. Despite their second game of the group being a 0-0 tie with the USA, they have still managed to score nine goals in their other two games. They have all of the talent in the world, but it will come down to whether Gareth Southgate can make use of that talent when they play Senegal in the round of 16.
3. Argentina (FIFA World Ranking: 3, 6 points from Group C, plays Australia next)
Everyone began to panic after the shocking loss against Saudi Arabia, but Argentina bounced back without breaking a sweat, winning their next two games easily. It never hurts when you have the best player in the world in Lionel Messi either. They should crush Australia on Saturday.
2. France (FIFA World Ranking: 4, 6 points from Group D, plays Poland next)
France had the inverse path of Argentina in that they dominated their first two games of the group stage and then had a (somewhat) disappointing loss against Tunisia, but they were also not fielding their best lineup. The reigning champions are missing a few of their best players due to injury, but Mbappe and company still look amazing. Poland is next for the French.
1. Brazil (FIFA World Ranking: 1, 6 points from Group G, plays South Korea next)
They were the favorites before the World Cup started, and they will still be the favorites entering the round of 16. The Neymar injury is unfortunate, but he should be back before the tournament is over and Brazil has the firepower to be fine without him. Could this be the year? Brazil has South Korea for their next game.
