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World Cup Power Rankings: Who are the front-runners with 48 hours to go?
With just 48 hours until the 2026 World Cup begins, our reporters ranked the top 15 contenders for this summer's top prize as they see it. Did your national team make the cut?

Illustration by ESPN
World Cup Rank: The 50 best players in the 2026 tournament


TOP HEADLINES

ASIAN CONTENDERS
Son has had quite the World Cup journey -- but will 2026 be his final hurrah?

Illustration by ESPN
Japan plan to win the World Cup by 2050. How close will they get in 2026?


FIFA WORLD CUP
Messi vs Ronaldo at 2026 World Cup: How dream showdown could happen

ESPN/Shruti Sadbhav
Džeko, Ronaldo, Modrić ... why are there so many over-40 players at the World Cup?

Grading bold preseason predictions for all 30 NBA teams


REAL MADRID
FOOTBALL
Forget Mourinho, star signings: Pérez's next big move could change Real Madrid forever

Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Perez hails 'extraordinary result' after winning Real Madrid presidential election

1:51
NBA Finals - Game 3NY leads series 2-1
Everything the Spurs figured out in their Game 3 win, and why the Knicks struggled

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs bounce back in Game 3! Biggest takeaways from the NBA Finals


UFC
Months of planning preceded White House Octagon event

Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
From the Octagon to the Oval office: White, Trump and a 25-year friendship


AROUND THE DIAMOND
Passan: How could an MLB salary cap work? Lessons from NBA, NHL and NFL systems

Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Still-too-early 2026 MLB All-Stars: AL, NL roster predictions and debates


MLB SCOREBOARD
Top Headlines
- Iran: FIFA pulled fans' World Cup ticket allotment
- Spurs return to their 'brand,' crash Knicks' party
- Brown on FT gap: 'Never thought I'd see' in Finals
- Spain finalize WC preparations with win over Peru
- Brazil: MRI shows Neymar making 'good progress'
- Argentina to avoid 'risks' with Messi set to play
- Saliba fit for France's World Cup bid - sources
- Timber misses World Cup through injury
ASEAN Club Championship
SPORTFIVE 2026 ASEAN Championship: Fixtures, results, standings, how to watch
The 16th ASEAN Championship -- officially known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 -- will take place from July 24 to Aug. 26.


























