World Cup Power Ranking after the Group Stage - where does Austria land?

#31 - Paraguay

They play intensely and aggressively, but are not exactly solid at the back.

And up front, not much has happened so far: Only Tunisia generated fewer expected goals than Paraguay (1.1). On top of that, almost everything in attack depends on one player: Julio Enciso.

Undefeated into the knockout phase and still so low?

Cape Verde is certainly one of the most beautiful stories of this World Cup, but they are significantly overperforming in terms of goals conceded. No other team that advanced allowed so many expected goals.

However, if they continue to throw themselves into every shot or pass, they can once again exceed expectations.

#29 - Australia

The Socceroos celebrated a perfect start with a victory over Turkey. After that, things continued unspectacularly. Not much happens going forward, and they are repeatedly vulnerable at the back.

The Australians are also searching in vain for a difference-maker, as Nestory Irankunda remained subdued after the opening match.

The pre-World Cup hype has definitely been carried over.

Austria's playoff opponent is in a World Cup knockout phase for the first time, and that's due to two things: their set-piece strength and a strong super-sub named Kerim Alajbegovic.

Results: 1:1 against Canada, 1:4 against Switzerland, 3:1 against Qatar

Round of 32: USA (Thursday, from 2 AM in the LIVE ticker)

#27 - DR Congo

A very challenging situation in their own country, plus a difficult group.

But the "Leopards" not only advanced as group third-placers, they did so with some genuinely good football and at least held their own in every match. Against the Uzbeks, they also showed a lot of morale.

#26 - Sweden

It's hard to make sense of the Swedes, who only qualified for the World Cup via the Nations League.

One moment they're racking up a dominant victory, the next they're suffering a heavy defeat. They definitely have quality up front, but it gets critical at the back – they're the mullet of this World Cup.

At least in this regard, they are the opposite of Sweden, having been consistent so far.

What does that mean? The "Black Stars," with their deep block, are above all difficult to break down, as England has already experienced.

On the other side of the pitch, things are not going as well. The offense, led by Man City star Antoine Semenyo, has only scored two goals.

The Pharaohs had to wait 88 years for their first World Cup victory.

Superstar Mo Salah contributed a total of three goal involvements in Egypt's unbeaten group stage – albeit in one of the weaker groups of this World Cup.

#23 - Algeria

The ÖFB (Austrian Football Association) has experienced firsthand how dangerous the "Desert Foxes" can be.

They are technically strong and possess good squad depth – only in the goalkeeper position is there room for improvement.

Even if Spain, as the next opponent, is not taken into account, the ÖFB team simply belongs in the lower half of this ranking.

They too rarely impressed in this group stage, showed too little of their typical pressing football, parts of this team are too vulnerable, and their performance against Argentina gave too little reason to dream.

#21 - Croatia

Luka Modric and co. once again prove their critics wrong. After the goal fest against England, more of Croatia's composure was evident, and they continue to possess a lot of quality.

Defeating this team in a knockout match remains a monumental task.

#20 - Canada

The team that most closely plays "Red Bull football" at this World Cup. Jesse Marsch directs a young squad with many interesting players who advanced quite easily.

However, an important factor will be missing in the future: the home fans. Because against South Africa, they played in the USA. But another decisive factor will likely return full-time soon: Alphonso Davies.

Ecuador is also hard to beat, although Ivory Coast was the first team since Brazil (September 2024, 1:0) to achieve this feat.

Head coach Sebastián Beccacece, who became a meme as Spider-Man, has molded an incredibly difficult team to play against, whose only clear weakness is the evergreen Enner Valencia. On the other hand, their defense is very well-staffed.

As the saying goes: With great defensive power comes great responsibility.

#18 - Senegal

The sporting winner of the Africa Cup kept pace well with France and Norway, but in the end, superstars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had the final say.

Thus, Pepe Thiaw's well-organized team only needed a dominant victory over ten Iraqis.

It's almost incredible how little pressure Haaland, above all, shows during Norway's first World Cup participation since 1998.

The superstar, like his entire team, delivers. Nevertheless, this squad has its limitations (defensively). An advantage, at least for the Round of 32: The Vikings arrive rested.

Norway is on a mission, as evidenced solely by Stale Solbakken's reasoning for rotation against France.

#16 - Ivory Coast

For the first time in a knockout phase, and deservedly so. The Ivorians are emerging as the second-best African team in the tournament.

With Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo, Emerse Faé's squad brings great danger from the wings, coupled with a tactically excellent team, especially off the ball – a nod to Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The duel with Norway could be one of the most exciting in this round.

The eternal dark horse is taking another shot.

At least the group stage offered little hope that a deep run could work out this time. Yet the quality is still there.

Results: 1:1 Egypt, 0:0 Iran, 5:1 New Zealand

Round of 32: Senegal (Wednesday, from 10 PM in the LIVE ticker)

#14 - Switzerland

The "Nati" coped well with a bumpy start against Qatar and, as expected, finished first in a manageable group.

Switzerland usually "slays" a big team in major tournaments, and they can be expected to do so again this time. The squad is strong in depth and quality in almost all positions. In addition, there are difference-makers like Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas.

#13 - Japan

The "Blue Samurai" have precisely added what they were previously lacking. With Ayase Ueda and Zion Suzuki, they now have both a striker and a goalkeeper of international caliber.

And then there's this new "bite" that one previously didn't associate with the always tactically astute and physically strong Japanese.

The only team to have an immaculate group stage: three games, three wins, three clean sheets.

However, the co-host in Group A has not yet faced an opponent of equal standing, which is likely to change now.

What remains constant is the host factor. Unlike Canada, the Mexicans continue to play on home soil.

#11 - Portugal

Things haven't really clicked for the 2016 European champions yet.

The opener against DR Congo went awry, then there was an expected high victory over Uzbekistan and a goalless draw against group winners Colombia.

Cristiano Ronaldo still seems like a burden on a highly talented team, especially in their superbly staffed midfield, which doesn't quite want to unleash its full potential. Because once again, the football Portugal plays is at least reserved.

#10 - Colombia

Things could go quite far for "Los Cafeteros." So far, the team led by Luis Diaz has presented itself as one of the most exciting teams of this final tournament.

Intensity, creativity, and a constant drive forward. What is still missing is clinical finishing in front of goal.

Will the USA finally become a football nation? Mauricio Pochettino's team is certainly giving it their all.

The group stage started euphorically and can, in the end, still be described as strong.

Two questions remain: How will they cope with the pressure against stronger opponents, and how far can this euphoria carry the co-host?

#8 - Germany

No group stage exit for the first time since 2014 (!), yet nobody among our neighbors is truly happy.

It wasn't an easy group for the DFB team, although the fixture list with Curacao as the opening opponent was favorable. Afterwards, several problem areas were identified for the "Nagelsmen": speed deficits in almost all positions, defensive vulnerability, and also a rather harmless offense – at least in the starting eleven.

Because honestly: Which offensive player, besides Deniz Undav, is currently in good form for the Germans?

#7 - Brazil

Against Morocco, they were the weaker team for long stretches, but at least they didn't lose. Afterwards, the Selecao noticeably improved.

It's a classic Ancelotti squad that the Italian puts on the field. You could call it the Real Madrid of international football. And that naturally includes a Vinicius Junior, who is performing outstandingly (for the first time with the Selecao, incidentally).

From the biggest surprise of the last World Cup to the extended circle of favorites?

Yes, because the Moroccans are continuing where they left off in Qatar in 2022 and at the Africa Cup on home soil in 2025.

The team led by Achraf Hakimi has even evolved in its approach to the game. Unlike four years ago, they no longer rely solely on control and compactness; in parts, they prefer attacking play.

A lot can still be expected from Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, and co.

"La Furia Roja" was considered a top favorite before the tournament, but in my opinion, Austria's opponent no longer belongs in that category.

A slip-up against an underdog like Cape Verde can happen to anyone once, but the 0-0 draw revealed something else: This team absolutely needs Lamine Yamal.

What happens if the Spain star suffers another setback? The wing duo of Ferran Torres/Gavi doesn't exactly inspire dreams.

However, the European champions can apparently rely on their defense: In three games, they allowed only 0.5 xG and conceded not a single goal.

#4 - England

The days of unappealing English football were finally over, at least for one game. After the 4:2 against Croatia, the "Three Lions" showed their old, Southgate-esque face again.

In the upcoming matches, it will become clear whether Croatia was the exception or the duels against deep-lying Ghanaians and Panamanians.

Either way: England has historically been a team built for the knockout phase. Their set-piece strength still exists, and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will not disappear.

"Oranje" needed one half to truly settle into the tournament. Since then, they have been one of the top teams of this World Cup.

The best defender of this generation leads a strong defense, while Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch pull the strings in midfield. But shouldn't the offense actually be the weak point? 'Brobbeybly not'.

Level with France and Germany, the Netherlands scored the most goals. In Brian Brobbey, Ronald Koeman has now also found his goalscorer.

Additionally, they possess enormous strength from set pieces (3 goals, tied with Bosnia and Herzegovina and USA for the most).

Not only Lionel Messi, but Argentina as a whole has not deteriorated one iota in the last four years.

The greatest footballer of all time once again has the arguments on his side to be the best player of this final tournament – at 39! With their completely unique style of play, the "Albiceleste" continue to set standards.

In the group stage, they conceded a goal only in the last match. And with the recipe – ten hard workers and one exceptional talent – almost every opponent will have problems.

The defending champions are only marginally behind the top spot in this ranking.

The expectations, perhaps even fears, have been confirmed: this team's attacking line is simply unfair.

The trio of Kylian Mbappe (4 goals, 2 assists), Ousmane Dembele (4 goals, 1 assist) and Michael Olise (4 assists) stands at a total of 15 (!) goal involvements after three games.

What the numbers already suggest is indeed reality: Didier Deschamps no longer plays unappealing efficiency football; he simply lets these world-class attackers do their thing. Not to forget: The central defense also possesses world-class quality.

So it remains: France can essentially only beat themselves at this World Cup.