Spain top early 2030 World Cup rankings after 2026 crown
CBS Sports puts Spain and France at the head of its first 2030 World Cup power rankings, with Germany, Morocco and Norway tipped to rise.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain already have the 2026 World Cup trophy, and CBS Sports says they are also the team to beat four years from now.
In a new early 2030 World Cup power ranking, CBS Sports writer Francesco Porzio placed Spain at No. 1 after Luis de la Fuente’s side won the 2026 tournament, the country’s second World Cup title after its 2010 triumph in South Africa. Porzio noted that Spain arrived as one of the favorites after winning UEFA Euro 2024 and backed up that billing.
The ranking points to Spain’s mix of senior know-how and young talent as the reason the champions could stay on top. Porzio singled out Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, who would both be 23 by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives.
France sit right behind Spain
France are second in the CBS list, with Porzio writing that the 2026 tournament closed the Didier Deschamps era. According to the ranking, Zinedine Zidane is set to begin a new spell in charge of the national team.
Porzio framed Spain and France as the clear early leaders, adding that their 2026 semifinal may have decided the eventual champion and could be repeated in 2030.
England are ranked third after what CBS described as another missed chance. Porzio wrote that Thomas Tuchel led a strong tournament, but England fell short again after losing two European finals in three years and still have only one World Cup, won in 1966. Tuchel is expected to remain at least through Euro 2028, hosted by England and Ireland, though Porzio wrote there is a strong chance he will not lead England at the next World Cup.
Germany jump as Klopp era looms
Germany are the biggest climbers near the top, rising 14 places to fourth in the CBS ranking. Porzio called their 2026 exit against Paraguay in the round of 32 the summer’s biggest disappointment, but wrote that Germany have begun a new cycle and will appoint former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Morocco complete the top five. CBS pointed to their 2022 semifinal run, their stronger status in 2026 and their role as 2030 co-hosts with Spain and Portugal as reasons to expect another step forward.
The Netherlands are sixth after a round-of-16 loss to Morocco, while Norway sit seventh. Porzio described Norway as one of the tournament’s other winners, citing their fans, their style and the foundations of the squad.
Portugal are eighth, with CBS noting that Jorge Jesus has been announced as coach and is expected to lead a side likely to be without Cristiano Ronaldo by 2030. Brazil are ninth after Carlo Ancelotti’s team were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16, a run Porzio still viewed as the start of a new chapter. Argentina, the 2026 finalists, are 10th, with CBS saying Lionel Messi is not expected to be in the squad and Lionel Scaloni is widely expected to step down at the end of the year.
USMNT land outside the top 10
The United States are ranked 13th. Porzio wrote that Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT handled heavy pressure and went out to Belgium in the round of 16. He also wrote that Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic should help lead the next phase, while Pochettino is unlikely to remain in charge for 2030.
- CBS ranked Colombia 11th, Japan 12th and Switzerland 14th.
- Mexico are 15th after a round-of-16 defeat to England, with Rafa Marquez announced as their new coach.
- Cabo Verde are 16th, with Porzio calling them the tournament’s best story and naming goalkeeper Vozinha as a 2026 standout.
- Paraguay, who knocked out Germany, made one of the notable jumps and sit 27th.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, giving three of CBS Sports’ top eight teams an extra spotlight as the next four-year cycle begins.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.