World Cup Power Rankings: How do all 32 teams measure up?

Welcome to the World Cup Power Rankings, where theScore ranks each team at the outset of the tournament with consideration to latest results, player fitness, and other intangibles.

Here's how the squads stack up entering the group stage:

1. Brazil 🇧🇷

The most balanced team in the competition, Brazil boasts a squad that is littered with attacking flair and, since the appointment of Tite, also has the necessary muscle and solidity in midfield to grind out victories if things aren't quite clicking up front. With Neymar looking back to his best, though, the Selecao won't exactly have trouble finding the net.

2. Germany 🇩🇪

The omission of Leroy Sane was the most surprising squad decision of all heading into the tournament, but Germany manager Joachim Low is blessed with so many options that it might not matter. If there are any concerns about the reigning champion, they may come, surprisingly, in goal: can Manuel Neuer shake off the rust after his lengthy injury absence?

3. Spain 🇪🇸

Even in light of Wednesday morning's mayhem that saw Spain sack manager Julen Lopetegui hours before the World Cup, the squad remains one of the most talented on offer in Russia, and should continue to play pulsating football with managerial novice Fernando Hierro at the helm. There's no denying, however, that such a bombshell on the eve of the tournament has the potential to disrupt previously ideal preparations. Will the squad, still loaded with a strong veteran presence, be able to push the distraction aside?

4. France 🇫🇷

If Didier Deschamps can figure out how to get the best from his absurdly skilled squad - which he hasn't proven capable of thus far, in fairness - then there's no reason why Les Bleus can't return to the top of the football mountain for the first time since 1998. There are plenty of lineup questions facing the midfielder-turned-bench boss, with Paul Pogba's best role chief among them.

5. Argentina 🇦🇷

Can Lionel Messi carry this talented, yet hilariously unbalanced team to glory, and quiet any remaining haters once and for all? This is likely the last time we'll see the 30-year-old at the peak of his powers at a World Cup, and based on Argentina's rocky path to the tournament - the Albiceleste wouldn't have qualified if not for his heroics - it's entirely up to him to drag the team one step further than he did four years ago in Brazil.

6. Belgium 🇧🇪

Is there any team at this tournament with more pressure on it than Belgium? The personnel has never been the issue for the Red Devils; having Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard in the same XI would be a dream for every manager in the world. Figuring out a way to make it work, however, hasn't been so simple. Roberto Martinez is now the man tasked with guiding the golden generation of Belgian football to a World Cup crown.

7. England 🦁

After years of seeing inferior England squads receive unjustified hype, this young, exciting iteration heads to Russia without the weight of the English press on its collective shoulders. And, ironically, it's probably the England team that deserves the most praise heading into a major tournament; Gareth Southgate's side is defensively solid, quick out wide, boasts arguably the best striker in the world in the form of Harry Kane, and has plenty of talent to make the necessary tactical adjustments should the need arise. England, in short, is good.

8. Portugal 🇵🇹

Fernando Santos' men looked decidedly effective in their last World Cup tune-up against Algeria, although the gaffer now has an interesting conundrum: Who partners Cristiano Ronaldo up top: qualifying hero Andre Silva or new boy on the block Goncalo Guedes?

9. Uruguay 🇺🇾

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani give Uruguay a vaunted one-two punch that not many other sides can match up top. But while the star strikers - along with Atletico Madrid centre-back duo Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez - have been asked to compensate for some deficiencies in central midfield in recent years, exciting youngsters like Rodrigo Bentancur, Nahitan Nandez, and Lucas Torreira give this side a balance that should worry some of the tournament heavyweights.

10. Colombia 🇨🇴

Get ready for some wonderful goal celebrations. The always-entertaining Colombians head into Russia as the favourite to emerge as Group H winner, with James Rodriguez looking to build off his Golden Boot-winning performance from four years ago. Together with a reborn Radamel Falcao, look for Colombia to bulge the net frequently.

11. Croatia 🇭🇷

A corruption case involving star man Luka Modric and centre-back Dejan Lovren has marred preparations for Croatia heading into the tournament, but if they can put aside that distraction, there's no reason why this team, which has arguably the best central midfield group of anyone in the world right now, shouldn't be able to put all the pieces together and give Argentina a real push in the group stage.

12. Mexico 🇲🇽

Talented, yet unpredictable, Mexico has been eliminated in the round of 16 in each of the last six World Cups. El Tri likely need to beat out Germany for top spot in the group if it has any real hope of ending that streak, too: second place in Group E almost definitely sets up a meeting with tournament favourite Brazil in the next round. The skill is there, but will it all come together?

13. Denmark 🇩🇰

It's all about Christian Eriksen, baby. Tottenham's creator-in-chief will get the opportunity to show off his finishing ability this summer, as he's undoubtedly the star of the Danish side. While he has to share the spotlight at club level, his team-leading 11 goals in qualifying highlight just how vital he is for Denmark. In Pione Sisto and Yussuf Poulsen, there are solid pieces around him, but the Danes will go as far as Eriksen can guide them.

14. Serbia 🇷🇸

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is reportedly the subject of a tug-of-war between the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus, is being tipped by many in Italy as the world's next superstar midfielder; Lazio president Claudio Lotito is looking for upwards of €100 million for his signature. The imposing, technically superb 23-year-old headlines what is an impressive, well-balanced midfield for Serbia, which will also have a red-hot Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line.

15. Senegal 🇸🇳

With a strong spine consisting of Napoli stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, Everton's Idrissa Gueye and Liverpool's Sadio Mane - complemented by an impressive crop of talented youngsters like Ismaila Sarr and Keita Balde - Senegal has all the pieces to justify its status as one of the under-the-radar sides that could make some noise at this tournament. Being placed in a wide-open Group H certainly helps, too.

16. Poland 🇵🇱

Robert Lewandowski's ability to find the net with ease - he set a European record with 16 goals in qualifying - will always keep Poland in with a shot against anybody, but there's no denying that this side, much-hyped heading into Euro 2016, isn't getting the same amount of attention ahead of this tournament. Perhaps that will suit the Poles just fine?

17. Peru 🇵🇪

Captain Paolo Guerrero having his doping ban overturned, thus making him eligible to play at the World Cup, is obviously an enormous boost for a Peru side that is being viewed by many as a hipster pick in the competition. The team's first match, against Denmark, will be massive in determining who (likely) finishes second in Group C behind heavy favourite, France.

18. Morocco 🇲🇦

Get ready to fall in love with Hakim Ziyech. The Ajax star, who led the Eredivisie in assists (15) this past season, is one of the players who could earn a high-priced move with a strong showing over the next month. The 25-year-old's trickery, dribbling ability, and (sometimes problematic) willingness to fire shots from anywhere make him the standout player on a solid side that could cause problems for Spain and Portugal in Group B.

19. Switzerland 🇨🇭

It's never particularly pretty with the Swiss, but the players won't mind if that approach guides Xherdan Shaqiri, Ricardo Rodriguez and Co. through to the knockout stages. Solid, if unspectacular, Switzerland will once again look to a veteran core, led by captain Stephan Lichtsteiner, to get out of Group E.

20. Egypt 🇪🇬

It's all about Mohamed Salah's shoulder right now in Egypt. Injured in the Champions League final after falling victim to Sergio Ramos' dark arts, the Liverpool superstar, who has blossomed into one of the most dominant - and lovable - players in the world, is unlikely to be 100 percent fit heading into the team's opening match against Uruguay in Group A.

21. Iceland 🇮🇸

Can the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup find some of the magic from Euro 2016, and once again capture the hearts of football fans everywhere? To do so, and come out of arguably the tournament's most difficult group, Iceland will need its marquee creative force, Gylfi Sigurdsson, to shine in Russia.

22. Nigeria 🇳🇬

Nigeria should already have been awarded the World Cup for its amazing kits, but since FIFA is still making everyone play the matches to determine a champion, the Super Eagles will be looking to Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses - who gets to slot into his more natural role higher up the pitch with the national team - to carry the bulk of the attacking load. The excellent Wilfred Ndidi, meanwhile, will provide cover for his more adventurous teammates.

23. Sweden 🇸🇪

Sweden's path to the World Cup took a now infamous route through Italy, bouncing the four-time champions in the play-offs, though since that momentous victory, Sweden has won just one of its following six matches. And without Zlatan Ibrahimovic this time around, the Swedes will need a more cohesive showing to prolong their first World Cup trip since 2006.

24. Costa Rica 🇨🇷

If Costa Rica fans still aren't done celebrating their country's fairy-tale run in 2014, in which Los Ticos reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated on penalties to the Netherlands, they can be forgiven. Fitting into Cinderella's glass slipper again will be easier said than done, though, as finishing runners-up to Brazil in the group likely guarantees them Germany next.

25. Tunisia 🇹🇳

Tunisia may have just one World Cup victory to its name in four different trips, though the Eagles of Carthage provide an intriguing wrinkle in Group G. A comeback draw against Portugal and a narrow loss against Spain in recent friendlies mean both Belgium and England will have to be wary of potentially dropping points against the northern African side.

26. Iran 🇮🇷

With attacking talent like Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the 2017-18 Eredivisie's top scorer, Iran has the quality to liven things up in a top-heavy Group B. What its players won't have, though, are their favourite cleats, as U.S.-based company Nike announced Monday it wouldn't supply the squad with its official World Cup footwear due to U.S. sanctions.

27. Japan 🇯🇵

Just months after qualifying for Russia, Japan was sent for a loop when Bosnian manager Vahid Halilhodzic was dismissed and replaced with Akira Nishino. A win against Paraguay on Tuesday was Japan's first in seven matches, but a wide-open Group H could give it the opportunity to string together confidence - or further compound its troubles.

28. South Korea 🇰🇷

South Korea is far removed from its 2002 glory days when it finished in fourth place as World Cup co-host. Toppling Germany in Group F is likely out of the question, but with Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-Min Son leading the way in attack, ousting Mexico and Sweden for second isn't entirely impossible.

29. Australia 🇦🇺

The Socceroos are in a state of flux after former manager Ange Postecoglou suddenly stepped down after securing qualification. Dutch boss Bert van Marwijk was brought on in a hurry, though just how prepared Australia will be is anyone's guess.

30. Panama 🇵🇦

Panama is present in its first-ever World Cup after edging out perennial CONCACAF contestants, the United States and Honduras, in qualifying. Getting here provided Los Canaleros fans with one of their greatest ever parties - anything else is icing on the cake.

31. Russia 🇷🇺

Russian fans will be banking on the magical effect of home advantage if they hope to progress out of Group A: South Africa in 2010 was the only World Cup host in history to fail to progress out of the group stage.

32. Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

In four appearances at the World Cup to date, Saudi Arabia has only made it out of the group stage once and owns a cumulative goal differential of minus-23. The Green Falcons could be in for another rough go in Russia in a group with the host nation plus Egypt and Uruguay.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)