World Cup 2022 power rankings: breaking down the final 32

Four years ago Argentina went home from Russia in a mess. Now they look in the best shape of all the contenders and what a story it would be if Lionel Messi crowned his final World Cup with the trophy. Lionel Scaloni’s team were unbeaten in qualifying – although they must contest one more replayed dead rubber against Brazil, who they defeated last year to win a first Copa América since 1993 – and overwhelmed Italy in the “Finalissima”. Is a 36-year duck ready to be broken?

The perennial favourites have been in excellent form as usual having thrashed South Korea 5-1 this month before Neymar’s penalty secured a 1-0 win over Japan. But with Argentina having gained the upper hand over Tite’s side in recent meetings, including in the Copa América final at the Maracanã last year, will Brazil be able to turn the tables and end their 20-year wait for a sixth World Cup win?

Luis Enrique’s side steadily improved in the Nations League, drawing with Portugal and the Czech Republic before beating Switzerland and the Czechs to take control of their group. The lack of a top-class striker is the main issue for the 2010 winners but the potential of the new generation led by Pedri and Gavi is clear.

The eye-catching 4-1 win over Belgium in Brussels will have raised expectations among Oranje supporters as they prepare for their first World Cup since 2014. Louis van Gaal, who led them to the semi-finals in Brazil that year, is back and will fancy his chances of a similar run with a youthful side that got the better of Wales with stoppage-time winners twice in the space of seven days.

Battered and broken last summer, Germany have quickly discovered a clear identity under Hansi Flick. The transition between generations is being cleverly