Alexi Lalas’ World Cup Power Rankings: Who is the strongest quarter-finalist?

The World Cup quarter-finals are set and start on Thursday with France against Morocco. Despite an exciting road to this point of the tournament, some teams unexpectedly found their way into the ranks of eight remaining teams.

The bracket has sneaky good teams and confident teams that are bound to make it to the finals on July 19th.

So these are my World Cup quarter-finals power rankings. And remember: These are my rankings. If you don’t like them, get your own.

Odds are from Thursday morning.

Odds to win: +3300

At eight o’clock the team we just saw beat Colombia will be Switzerland. Switzerland is sneakily good, but I don’t think anyone will argue with the Swiss at No.8.

Odds to win: +3000

Our friends Belgium, who just kicked our ass, come in at #7.

Odds to win: +2700

It’s tough, but I put Morocco at six. Morocco could definitely be high, but I’ll put it at six. I probably could have put Morocco ahead of Spain.

Oath. Note: Morocco were sent home after losing to France, 2-0, on Thursday.

Odds to win: +360

This is probably the most controversial: Spain at No. 5. I think many people would put Spain higher.

Odds to win: +460

This one hurts me the most, especially after that game where they went down to Azteca and beat Mexico in a historic win. It comes at 4 o’clock, and it should feel safe going forward.

Odds to win: +1400

Norway was many people’s “dark horse”, and they have lived up to that and more in the sense that they are no longer a dark horse. I still think that even with what Lionel Messi is doing right now, what Erling Haaland is doing is just as good and I could even argue that it is better given the supporting cast. Not a lack of supporting cast, because that’s disrespectful to the rest of the Norway players, but he doesn’t play in a team as good as Argentina.

Odds to win: +400

Speaking of Argentina, they’re still at 2. They’ve had two games now where, although they’ve been exciting, they’ve been two games that they’ve struggled with and had to suffer, which is still surprising that they came out on the winning end. Credit to them. Still, I’m being a little bit generous with Argentina. Argentina has been a bit shaky.

Odds to win: +180

Is there really any other choice at this point? Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé. I don’t need to say more than that.