We are getting closer to finalizing the World Cup round of 16!
This year, there were a record 48 teams in the tournament, which added an extra knockout round, the round of 32.
After three matches in the first knockout round on Wednesday, July 1, there are 22 teams still alive chasing their World Cup dream.
All three host nations are through to the round of 16. Canada kicked off the round of 32 on Sunday, June 28 with a slow start, but scored a goal in stoppage time to power through to the next round. Mexico had a more decisive performance with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, June 30. The United States finished off play on Wednesday with their own 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Some of the top teams in the tournament will play in their first knockout games of the summer on Thursday, July 2, including two venerated South American sides taking on two fan favorite African teams. Defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi take on sweetheart Cape Verde while Colombia faces Ghana.
Here is USA TODAY Sports’ ranking of the 22 teams left in the World Cup as of Thursday, July 2.
22. Cape Verde
While the empty-net miss late against Saudi Arabia may prove to be the difference between leaving their first World Cup with a win, few will mind as the Blue Sharks found a way to keep rolling and make the knockout stage. It’s one of the tournament’s best stories.
21. Ghana
When Ghana doesn’t stick firmly to Carlos Queiroz’s principles of disciplined, low-event soccer, it does not look like it can hang. The crafty manager will make sure everyone is in line for the knockout match(es?).
20. Austria
Austria drew with Algeria in one of the most shocking ends to a game in the history of international soccer. Everything seemed like the teams were playing out a draw. Suddenly, Algeria scored. But Austria made changes and answered seconds later. Everyone goes through happy – but Austria now has to play Spain.
19. Algeria
What a game. What an ending. What a joy it will be for Algeria fans seeing Riyad Mahrez score twice AND seeing their team avoid Spain in the round of 32 with the late goal conceded.
18. Egypt
The group win was there for the taking, but Egypt was content to see out a draw with Iran. It nearly got burned by the fire it was playing with – though a matchup with Australia is better than it could’ve gone as second-place finishers.
17. Australia
It’s a nice hop for the Socceroos after they once again controlled a game – though this time not being able to find the back of the net. Tony Popovic will have a well-designed plan for the knockouts, too.
16. Canada
It’s a successful World Cup already for Canada, which got past South Africa for its first-ever knockout win. Now a much bigger challenge awaits in the form of Morocco in the round of 16.
15. Paraguay
Bouncing back from the 4-1 opening loss to the U.S., Gustavo Alfaro’s men got through the group and then stunned Germany to move into the round of 16.
14. Croatia
Things may be opening up for Luka Modrić and Croatia, which played an OK game against Ghana but stylistically was able to do what it wanted in a 2-1 win. Now, it’s another team that might not be able to punish Croatia’s advanced age and lack of speed as the Blazers meet Portugal in the round of 32.
13. Switzerland
Consistent, but yet to be tested (unless you count Qatar in the last five minutes), Switzerland is doing what it has tended to do in major tournaments: Advance but fly under the radar. Johan Manzambi could feast against Algeria.
12. Colombia
While Colombia couldn’t find the goal to truly set off the party against Portugal in Miami, winning the group means the path is there for a team that may once again be coming together for a long knockout run.
11. Belgium
They had fans holding their breath until the very end in the round of 32 comeback win over Senegal, but with Jérémy Doku back in the fold and veteran attackers like Romelu Lukaku getting in on the goals, the Red Devils are still a force to be reckoned with.
10. Norway
The decision to rest their best against France paid off, as a fresh Norwegian side beat Ivory Coast in the round of 32 to set up a date with Brazil.
9. Portugal
In failing to beat Colombia and finishing runner-up in the group, Roberto Martínez’s team has made its life much more difficult as the tournament progresses, even if the potential quarterfinal with Argentina is off the table.
8. United States
The momentum is sky-high after a 2-0 round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Folarin Balogun netted another goal in the victory, but was handed a red card and will not play in the round of 16. At least Christian Pulisic seems to be fully healthy after his calf injury.
7. Mexico
Javier Aguirre’s men are clicking into gear at exactly the right time – and will stay at home in Mexico City after beating Ecuador in the round of 32. Next up: England.
6. Morocco
Morocco showed it is once again a threat to go deep in this tournament by knocking off the Netherlands.
5. Brazil
Brazil got a major test from Japan in the round of 32, but ultimately passed it thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli.
4. Spain
Spain notched a second consecutive win, but it didn’t look like the team we had No. 1 in our pre-tournament rankings as it grit its teeth for a 1-0 victory over Uruguay. Losing Nico Williams to another injury only means more for Spain to figure out between phases.
3. England
England has fans scratching their heads with their slow starts. After conceding a goal to Congo in the round of 32, Harry Kane was the hero yet again and scored twice for his second brace of the tournament. Facing Mexico on their turf will be a true test.
2. Argentina
Even with Leo Messi getting his rest (but still getting a goal in a second-half cameo), Argentina was able to tango past Jordan and close out a perfect group stage. The Albiceleste’s path to the later rounds looks far more straight-forward than many of their title rivals, too.
1. France
It’s tough to find many flaws with France at the moment. Les Bleus made easy work of Sweden as Kylian Mbappé scored his third brace in four games this tournament.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking all 22 World Cup teams from worst to first as round of 32 unfolds
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