France leads global ranking ahead of quarter-final fixtures
France leads the 2026 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Cup ranking as the top-ranked team in the tournament.
Didier Deschamps’ men are heading into the quarterfinal against fifth-place Morocco in yet another World Cup knockout clash, with great expectations for Les Bleus.
France has won all their last five games thanks to an incredible team of numerous world-class players.
Two key players, Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé, have impressed for France. Olise is leading the assist tally in the tournament, and Mbappe is joining Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Reigning champions Argentina sit in second place and are determined to achieve another historic feat after their dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the round of 16.
Despite being unbeaten in the tournament, Lionel Scaloni’s side has conceded seven goals in their last three fixtures, with only two narrow victories.
Argentina face seventh-place Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Sunday, following their victory against Colombia.
Spain’s third spot remains unchanged after knocking out Portugal in the last 16. The Spaniards face Belgium on Friday to seal a spot in the quarter-finals.
Belgium takes sixth spot on the rankings following their victory, thrashing co-hosts the U.S. 4-1 in the round of 16.
England are in fourth place, behind Norway, who are in eighth place on the rankings. The Three Lions face the Norwegians on Saturday in a tough match for both sides.
For England, it is a chance to break their losing streak against European nations in World Cup knockout matches, while Norway fights to advance past the last eight of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Three suspects nabbed in Ondo over N23 million vehicle sale, UK student visa scams
The police said the suspects would arraigned upon conclusion of investigation.
Hot news Home top
Tinubu won’t be arrested but will be embarrassed if he attends UN meeting in New York, says Atiku’s hired lobby firm
The firm said, “An alleged heroin trafficker like President Tinubu has no business meeting with President Trump.”
States
Losses as fire guts 12 shops at Kwara market
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their prompt response.
States
One killed, four bikes recovered as troops raid Katsina terrorist hideout
The media information officer for Fansan Yamma, Aliyu Danja, said the operation was carried out on Friday.
Hot news Home top
Police probe theft of 800 barrels of Guinness worth £115,000 in UK
Detective Sergeant McClatchy said, “It is famously said that ‘Guinness is good for you,’ but that is only the case when it has been bought and paid for.”
Lagos
Five sentenced to 35-year jail term over N117.7 million Chi Limited fraud
The judge ruled that the convicts should be credited for time served in prison while awaiting the conclusion of their trial.
