90min's definitive World Cup power rankings: Quarter-finals

Brazil have been excellent
Brazil have been excellent / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages
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Enjoying these rare two days without any World Cup action whatsoever? No? Me neither. It's a disgrace.

But for the first time all tournament long, we've been afforded 48 hours to relax and reflect on everything that's happened so far. How did Germany go out in the group stage again? Why were Qatar so bad? Has Goncalo Ramos ended Cristiano Ronaldo's career?

Before we tuck into the quarter-finals, it's time to rank the remaining eight competitors still vying for glory.


Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders, Sean Walsh, Ali Rampling and Brian Goldfarb to look back on the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil - join us!

If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download or listen to the episode in full!


8. Croatia

Dominik Livakovic
Croatia beat Japan on penalties / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

Why are one of the two finalists from 2018 bottom of the quarter-final power rankings? Because they're old and knackered, mostly.

It seems incredibly unlikely that this veteran Croatia side will be able to not only outlast but outclass Brazil for between 90 and 120 minutes. But if they do, hey, fair enough.

7. Morocco

Achraf Hakimi, Abde Ezzalzouli, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Yahya Jabrane
Here come the Atlas Lions / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

The last remaining true underdog standing, Morocco's run to their first ever World Cup quarter-final has been a thrilling ride.

Their dogged defensive resiliency will be tested with Nayef Aguerd an injury doubt and Romain Saiss appearing to pick up a muscle injury at the back end of their last 16 triumph against Spain.

6. Netherlands

Cody Gakpo, Denzel Dumfries
The Oranje are in form / BSR Agency/GettyImages

Ahead of their 2014 rematch with Argentina, Louis van Gaal has spent some time trying to assert that he would like to kiss Memphis Depay on the mouth.

His on-pitch management has been impressive too, with the Netherlands completely smothering the United States last time out.

5. England

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, John Stones
England have found their rhythm / Stefan Matzke - sampics/GettyImages

England have managed to stave off predictions that this World Cup would be a bitter swan-song for Gareth Southgate, demonstrating a maturity and professionalism that is a result of their last two deep tournament runs.

If they can knock out the world champions, then it will prove that the Three Lions are now a proper tournament team. No flukes, no asterisks.

4. Argentina

Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Leo Messi
Argentina are yet to peak / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

After walking all over Poland, many expected Argentina to kick into gear and become the formidable side they're capable of.

Instead, they reverted to type against a plucky Australia side, relying heavily on Lionel Messi again and riding out a late onslaught from the Socceroos. You can't blame them for such an approach, mind.

3. France

Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe
How cute / Alex Grimm/GettyImages

They're the world champions for a reason.

Manager Didier Deschamps has again been vindicated by his decision to stand by his favourites - Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann have had superb tournaments, while Kylian Mbappe has found another gear to kick into somehow.

2. Portugal

Portugal v Switzerland: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Portugal's new hero / Anadolu Agency/GettyImages

No one would have expected Portugal to be here after stumbling through the group stages.

Fernando Santos, so often criticised as the man holding the Selecao's attacking excellence back, freed them of their shackles in the last 16, replacing Ronaldo with Ramos and being vindicated to the max.

After such an emphatic 6-1 win with a new, younger forward line, Portugal are firmly in the mix as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

1. Brazil

Neymar da Silva, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha - Brazilian Soccer Winger - Born 1996, Lucas Paquetá
Can Brazil go all the way? / Simon M Bruty/GettyImages

At this point, Brazil are probably the favourites until they get knocked out.

The five-time champions boast everything you want in a potential winner - star power, team ethic, depth and a chip on their shoulder provided by Roy Keane.

Just wait until Richarlison and Tite's pigeon memes hit the mainstream (ETA, the semi-finals).