Japan Takes Massive Leap in the World Cup Power Rankings
We are through the first 10 days of the 2026 World Cup, and we ended Saturday night with the 1,00th game in the tournament’s illustrious history.
It was a huge game for Japan, as they became the first Asian country in World Cup history to score four goals in a match, blanking Tunisia in a statement victory in Monterrey, Mexico. For the Japanese, it was a beautiful deceleration on the global stage following an opening game tie with the Netherlands.
Although Japan was missing some of its top players, the on-field machine built by Hajime Moriyasu didn’t miss a beat, with center forward Ayase Ueda scoring a brace and putting forth one of the best all-around performances of the tournament thus far. Tunisia looked out on their feet by the final 15 minutes of the game, as Japan danced around them with positive play even up multiple goals.
It was a huge day for the two favorites in Group I, Japan and Netherlands, as the latter dominated Sweden in a 5-1 victory. Sweden looked better than the scoreline suggests, but the lack of execution around the penalty box and mismatch in goalkeeper quality left them looking ambushed by a superior side.
The biggest risers of the day are Japan and Netherlands, who both break into the top five off of heroic beatdowns. Alongside Sweden, the biggest drop on the day is Ecuador, the defensive dark horse that couldn’t get a goal past the debutant Curaçao.
Oh, and congratulations to Tunisia, who go from the 47th best team in the competition to dead last after getting outscored 9-1 in their first two games. How bad is that? They moved above Qatar, who lost their last game 6-0.
More news: Ranking All 48 Teams at the World Cup After the First Round of Matches
More news: Who Will the USMNT Play in the Round of 32 of the World Cup?
World Cup Power Rankings (After Day 10)
- Argentina
- France
- England
- Netherlands
- Japan
- United States of America
- Germany
- Norway
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Morocco
- Ivory Coast
- Mexico
- Canada
- Australia
- Austria
- Sweden
- Scotland
- Senegal
- Croatia
- Spain
- Belgium
- Uruguay
- Switzerland
- South Korea
- Paraguay
- Algeria
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Algeria
- Iran
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Ecuador
- Curaçao
- Ghana
- DR Congo
- Uzbekistan
- Jordan
- Czechia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Iraq
- South Africa
- Panama
- Turkey
- Haiti
- Qatar
- Tunisia
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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 12:52 PM.