The first six weeks of the CFL season have given us a lot of interesting information, and stacking the teams is a difficult task.

The 2026 CFL season is six weeks old, and after Week 7, one-third of the Canadian Football League schedule will already be complete. Ranking all 9 clubs is getting both easier and more difficult at the same time. Multiple teams are pulling away from the pack in both directions, but even at the top of the league, there is genuine confusion about who should be at the top. Winning a head-to-head matchup doesn’t automatically mean a team ranks higher when you have 5 games of evidence to weigh. Here’s where every CFL team stands going into Week 7.

Table of contents

• 9. Ottawa Redblacks
• 8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
• 7. BC Lions
• 6. Toronto Argonauts
• 5. Calgary Stampeders
• 4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• 3. Edmonton Elks
• 2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
• 1. Montreal Alouettes

9. Ottawa Redblacks

Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has not done enough to take this team to the next level. The hope was that quarterback Jake Maier, combined with free agent investments like running back Greg Bell and Micah Awe, would push the Redblacks toward .500 at the end of the season. That hasn’t happened, as Ottawa sits at 0-5. Dinwiddie is finding out that a high-priced running back doesn’t mean much without an offensive line to open lanes. 

Maier isn't attacking downfield enough, instead throwing short before the sticks, and failing to bail the team out when things get murky. Even when the Redblacks grabbed a 10-0 lead against the Saskatchewan Roughriders thanks to a couple of turnovers, they couldn’t sustain it. Now that Dru Brown has shown he can be successful with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the question lingers: did Dinwiddie make the right call? I’m not convinced.

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

A couple of weeks ago, Hamilton would have been ranked 1st or 2nd. Bo Levi Mitchell was cooking, throwing as many touchdowns as incompletions across a 2-week stretch. He broke and/or dislocated his ankle against the Blue Bombers, which required surgery, and everything changed. 

Jake Dolegala got the start against Saskatchewan and was terrible. The game was 18-7 at the beginning of the fourth quarter before it spiraled out of control with multiple turnovers. Coach Scott Milanovich seems confident Mitchell could return by season’s end, but if the Tiger-Cats don’t weather the storm, the playoffs won’t even be within their grasp. Despite signing this offseason to be the No. 2, Trey Ford wan't trusted enough to start, as the team chose Dolegala over him. Until Hamilton finds stability at quarterback, things will likely get worse.

7. BC Lions

Nathan Rourke has done a solid job trying to keep this team afloat despite a defense that has been dreadful. The Lions are 5th in points scored but 6th in points allowed, and that gap of scoring 30.8 while surrendering 34.3 is frustrating. Much of that damage came in a blowout loss to the Tiger-Cats, while a rouge against Saskatchewan in the season opener cost them a potential game-tying field goal. The defense needs to stop giving up big plays. If it can stabilize, Rourke, the 2025 Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, should be able to carry the offense with James Butler, Keon Hatcher, and Justin McInnis flanking him.

6. Toronto Argonauts

The Argonauts are higher on this list than they would be on most because of what Chad Kelly is doing offensively. He is attacking vertically and exploiting coverages down the field. Unfortunately, he’s making too many mistakes and has thrown almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. Even so, the explosive passing game is this team’s calling card. 

The offense is second in the league at 34.2 points per game, while the defense is the league’s worst at 36.6. If Toronto can get that number of points allowed down to around 30, the Argonauts can go on a run. It doesn't help that they won’t play a home game for another 3 weeks. Their first 7 games are all on the road, a brutal stretch partly self-inflicted by ownership’s unwillingness to invest in an alternate venue due to displacement from the World Cup.

5. Calgary Stampeders

The Stampeders have been inconsistent despite that massive game from Vernon Adams Jr. against the Argonauts, as he scored 7 total touchdowns, something Doug Flutie never did in Calgary. They are the No. 1 scoring offense, but No. 7 in scoring defense, and that inconsistency is what keeps them down this low. Right now, the Stampeders are coming off a loss to the Montreal Alouettes. The defensive line, led by Clarence Hicks, Folarin Orimolade, and Jalen Hutchings, needs to generate more pressure to make life easier on the secondary. If they put it all together, they’re a real Grey Cup contender.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

This ranking is higher than it would have been before the Dru Brown game. When Brown stepped in, he was excellent: 25-of-31 for over 300 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He would have had a second touchdown if not for a fumble inside the 5-yard line by Pokey Wilson on the opening drive. 

Brown threw with touch, zip, precision, and timing. With Zach Collaros at quarterback, he wasn't doing any of those things. Winnipeg is last in the league in points scored at 22 per game. Brown’s one start? 31 points. Collaros went down with a neck injury against the Tiger-Cats, and it looks like more of a neck strain since he’s already back at practice. This defense is tied for second in the CFL at 24.4 points allowed per game. If Brown can provide offensive consistency alongside Brady Oliveira and those receivers, the Bombers are still a Grey Cup contender.

3. Edmonton Elks

Coach Mark Killam has done an outstanding job. In previous years, the Elks were starting in brutal fashion, including a 1-7 start last year. Killam’s mandate was to stop the slow starts that forced late-season surges, and he delivered. Edmonton beat the defending Grey Cup runner-up, Montreal Alouettes, and started 4-1. Cody Fajardo is not the most dynamic quarterback, but he leads an offense that is capable, gutsy, and makes the right decisions. Justin Rankin could become the first CFL player ever to record 1,000 receiving and rushing yards in the same season. The energy around this team is different. They are explosive, gritty, and mentally tough. The Elks are real Grey Cup contenders.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders

At 40 years old, quarterback Trevor Harris is still finding receivers down the field and attacking small windows. Kian Shaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, and Keshawn Johnson are arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. A.J. Ouellette is back, and his return made a noticeable difference against the Tiger-Cats with a major explosion in the fourth quarter. The defense is third in points allowed and fourth in points scored, though it will allow opponents to sustain drives a little too often. Because so much of Harris’ game is built on pocket savvy and evasion rather than scrambling, interior pressure could be the blueprint to slow Saskatchewan down.

1. Montreal Alouettes

Davis Alexander might be winning Most Outstanding Player this year. He has been dynamite in every game, attacking vertically and finding Tyson Philpot, who has nearly 800 yards receiving through 5 games and is on pace to break records. Travis Theis has stepped up at running back, Alexander Hollins has been a capable receiver, and Tyler Snead looks like an alpha on the outside, which makes that wide receiver corps dangerous. 

Defensively, Montreal is average, allowing 30.8 points per game and ranking 5th in the CFL, which is down from their previous seasons. The Alouettes are the No. 3 offense at 34 points per game, and that has been enough to win football games, mainly due to Alexander's explosive passing. They have made things harder on themselves than necessary, including needing a late stop against Ottawa in a 27-22 win. The defense, led by Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, needs to maintain leads more consistently. Even so, this is the best team in the CFL, and it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: CFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Montreal Alouettes hold top spot, Dru Brown shakes up Winnipeg Blue Bombers

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.

England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.

Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown shared a series of photos ahead of the game, including a selfie showing her in an England top and inside the stadium.

Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole also posted a photo and video from inside the stadium to his Instagram Stories.

And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).

Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.

Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.

At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.

Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.

England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.

And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).

Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.

Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.

At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.

French media have poured scorn on the efforts of the France team after they were knocked out by Spain in the World Cup semi-finals.

Les Bleus had been among the favourites to seal a third title at the tournament but were unable to break down an organised Spain, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring from the spot and Pedro Porro doubling their advantage, while France’s all-star attack was neutralised.

Luis de la Fuente’s European champions will face either England or Argentina, who meet on Wednesday night, in Sunday’s final.

France have been fiercely criticised for their lacklustre showing by the national press, with L’Equipe plastering a picture of Kylian Mbappe looking dejected on its front page alongside the headline “Fleeting star”.

Le Parisien also featured a picture of Mbappe alongside the headline “Fallen from a height”, with the caption reading: “Trailing from half-time, Les Bleus never found the key to unlocking the Spanish powerhouse.”

Le Figaro wrote: “Spain put an end to Les Bleus’ dream”, again alongside an image of Mbappe, while Ouest France called it “the end of the American Dream”, with the striker covering his face in disappointment.

Several players came in for particular condemnation from the French press, with three players earning two out of 10 ratings from the outlet L’Equipe.

All three of Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne - who was responsible for conceding a penalty after kicking Lamine Yamal when attempting to control the ball - and Paris St-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele were given the rating.

The paper slammed Dembele as “a huge disappointment”, writing: “Initially on the right, then moved centrally after half an hour, nothing helped: the Ballon d’Or winner did almost everything wrong. As the minutes ticked by, he gradually faded until he became almost invisible. A huge disappointment.” Digne was blasted for his “uncontrolled header and his foul on Lamine Yamal”: “he made two mistakes that resulted in a penalty”.

Olise was not spared despite having an excellent World Cup until this point, with L’Equipe writing: “[Having] risen so high in previous matches, he fell very low this time.”

Captain and star striker Mbappe was awarded a three, alongside the note: “He often seemed very isolated and tried to do everything himself, without success.”

Mbappe was equally derogatory about his side’s performance, saying after the match: “There were too many technical errors. We didn’t know how to hurt them when we needed to. It was up to us to shift the balance of power, and that’s where we failed.”

England and Argentina will meet on Wednesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final infused with decades of bitter rivalry after they battled past Norway and Switzerland respectively in the quarter-finals.

The South Americans and their talisman Lionel Messi must defeat England in Atlanta to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.

England and their key partnership of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane must win to have any hope of ending a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

The winner of that game will take on the victor of France's semi-final with Spain -- they meet in Texas on Tuesday -- in the final on July 19.

The Argentina v England match comes 40 years after a seismic encounter in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Argentina secured a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca with two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" when he punched the ball into the net and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the greatest goals ever to grace a World Cup.

For Maradona's heir, Messi, it will be his 206th match in an Albiceleste shirt, but his first ever against England.

The match will also take place against the backdrop of a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, known in Spanish as the Malvinas.

Britain sent a military taskforce in 1982 to reclaim the islands after Argentine troops invaded.

After Argentina beat a dogged Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City on Saturday thanks to extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, their coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to take the political heat out of the meeting with England.

"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," Scaloni said. 

"It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach and this is a football game and that's all."

- 'Very lucky ' -

That coach, Thomas Tuchel, was angry with his England team after they needed extra-time on Saturday to end Norway's historic run in sweltering Miami.

Two goals from Jude Bellingham gave England a nervy 2-1 victory to send them into the semi-finals for only the fourth time in history.

Tuchel said his team would need to make a noticeable improvement if they were to have any chance of reaching the final.

In energy-sapping Florida heat and humidity, England's shaky defence allowed Andreas Schjelderup to unleash a rasping shot from the left to put Norway ahead on 36 minutes.

But England got a huge break in first-half stoppage time when Bellingham equalised after an attack that was initiated when a goal kick from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to hit an overhead camera cable.

Norway's players protested in vain and the goal stood. The Norwegians also had a goal controversially disallowed before Bellingham then poached the winner in extra-time.

"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," Tuchel said afterwards. 

"The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance... we were very lucky today."

While football's world governing body FIFA later said there was "no evidence" the ball had hit the cable before England's first goal, Norway coach Stale Solbakken was adamant.

"That was unlucky for us," Solbakken said. "The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction. But we can't do anything about that."

Erling Haaland, the marauding forward who scored seven goals as Norway reached uncharted waters at the tournament, said his team's performance had inspired a new generation.

"How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most," said Haaland, who failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country.

"Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it's possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt."

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