Viva's Power Rankings — No.2: France, the defending champions, the deepest squad in the tournament, and Mbappé four goals from history
France are the defending World Cup champions. They have the deepest squad at the tournament. Mbappé is 27 and four goals from the all-time scoring record. They are number two on this list. The gap to number one is Brazil — and it is narrow.
The case for France at number one is compelling to the point where placing them at number two requires explanation rather than justification. Deepest squad. Best individual player. Defending champions. Mbappé at 27 in the prime of his career and four goals from the all-time World Cup scoring record. The case is so strong that it almost argues itself into the top position.
The explanation is this: France have the talent to win this tournament comfortably. They have not always converted that talent into the performances it should produce. The gap between France's potential and France's actual tournament output has appeared before. While Mbappé as captain with the specific motivation of a record and a title defence provides strong reasons to believe 2026 is different, the pattern exists and cannot be entirely dismissed.
The squad depth
France's squad depth is the most significant structural advantage at this tournament. Every position has genuine quality and genuine cover. The midfield — Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Zaïre-Emery — is as complete and physically dominant as any in the competition. The attack — Mbappé, Dembélé, Thuram — is the most feared forward line at the tournament. Didier Deschamps has assembled everything a manager could reasonably ask for.
Why they are two and not one
Brazil's number one position is based on one specific assessment: Viva believes Brazil's combination of attacking threat and defensive organisation, when fully fit, is marginally more likely to produce consistent tournament performances than France's system. On Mbappé's best days, France are the best team in the world. Across seven matches, Brazil's collective depth provides a marginally more reliable foundation. That is a narrow gap. France finishing as world champions would not surprise Viva in the slightest.
Manager: Didier Deschamps | Key player: Kylian Mbappé
Group: Group I with Senegal, Iraq, Norway
""The deepest squad. The defending champions. Mbappé four goals from history. France at number two is the hardest call on this entire list — they could just as easily be number one. Brazil gets the edge. Narrowly.""
Next in the Power Rankings
No.1 tomorrow — Five stars. Twenty-four years of waiting. Vinícius, Raphinha, Endrick. The most talented Brazilian squad since 2002. Number one tomorrow — and Viva's pick to win the whole tournament. Back to VivaSportsHQ →
