Spain tops ESPN's World Cup power rankings 48 hours before the tournament begins, despite concerns over teenage star Lamine Yamal's fitness. The 16-year-old missed the last month of club season with a torn hamstring and continues rehabbing in Tennessee while his teammates prepare in Puebla, Mexico. Coach Luis de la Fuente remains confident Yamal will be ready for Spain's Group H opener against Cape Verde on June 15.

France sits at #2 in the rankings with six first-place votes, positioned to honor manager Didier Deschamps in what's expected to be his swansong tournament. Key players Ousmane Dembélé and William Saliba have overcome injury concerns, but uneven warmup form including a defeat to Ivory Coast raises questions about their readiness for the Group I opener against Senegal.

Argentina ranks #3 despite being the FIFA #1 team, with Lionel Messi seeking to become the first repeat World Cup champion since Brazil in 1958. However, concerns about aging squad members and key injuries to players like Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister could impact their chances. England comes in at #4 with manager Thomas Tuchel making surprising roster decisions, leaving out expected names like Trent Alexander-Arnold while calling up veterans like Jordan Henderson.