FIFA World Cup 2026: Ranking best third-place teams so far
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Eight best third-placed teams will secure a spot in the round of 32.
For the first time at a FIFA World Cup, coming third in your group is not an indication of elimination.
The larger 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 format allows eight of the 12 third-placed teams to advance to the new Round of 32. With the final round of group games left to play, the hunt for those eight golden tickets is coming down to the wire.
Here is how the third-place rankings stand, how they are calculated, and who the qualified teams may face in the knockouts.
The top eight third-place teams make it to the Round of 32, while the bottom four miss out. With the final group matches remaining to be played, every spot is up for grabs.
Also read: List of all nations qualified for Round of 32 of FIFA World Cup 2026
Best eight third-place standings before final group games in the FIFA World Cup 2026
After two group games each, this is how the eight best third-place teams look.
| Pos. | Team | Group | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden | F | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Scotland | C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Croatia | L | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Algeria | J | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 5 | Paraguay | D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 6 | Cape Verde | H | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Belgium | G | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Czechia | A | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
Teams like Sweden, Scotland, Croatia, Algeria and Paraguay have a strong hold in these third-place rankings. All of them have secured three points thus far.
When you place third in your group, you are no longer assessed against the two teams ahead of you. Instead, you are rated against the other 11 third-place teams from all 12 groups. FIFA distinguishes them based on the following criteria, in order:
- (1) Points collected in all three group matches.
- (2) Goal difference over all group matchups.
- (3) Goals scored throughout all group matchups.
Disciplinary record based on yellow and red cards collected during the group stage (fewer cards is better). The FIFA global ranking is only used as a last option if teams cannot be separated in any other way.
How many third-placed sides will qualify for the FIFA World Cup round of 32?
Eight third-placed nations.
When is the round of 32 starting?
It kicks off on June 28, 2026 and runs through July 3, 2026.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.