As the group stage of the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its final stretch, attention turns to one of the tournament’s most intriguing qualifying battles — the race between the third-placed teams for a place in the round of 16.For the first time in the history of the World Cup, 48 national teams were divided into 12 groups of four. While the top two teams from each group automatically advance to the knockout stage, they won’t be alone. The eight best third-placed teams in all 12 groups will also advance, completing the 32-team relegation group.This means that 24 teams will qualify directly by finishing in the top two of their groups, while a further eight will secure their places through the third-placed table. The remaining four third-place teams, along with the last 12 teams, will be eliminated.
The race for the knockout spots is heating up
Through Wednesday’s matches, 13 teams have already qualified for the round of 16.The confirmed group winners so far are Mexico (Group A), Switzerland (Group B), Brazil (Group C), United States (Group D), Germany (Group E) and Argentina (Group J).France, Norway, Canada, Morocco, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of South Africa have also qualified for the next round.On the other hand, the Czech Republic, Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar and Panama have already been eliminated before the last round of the group.With 13 teams advanced and seven eliminated, 28 teams remain in contention for the remaining 19 places in the knockout stage.
How are the best third placed teams ranked?
After all group stage matches are completed, FIFA will compare the records of the 12 teams that finish third in their groups.Ranking criteria are applied in the following order:
- 1. The highest number of points scored in all matches in the group.
- 2. Superior goal difference in all group games.
- 3. The highest number of goals scored in all matches of the group.
- 4. The highest order of team behavior, determined by yellow and red cards received by players and team officials.
- 5. The highest position in the latest FIFA World Ranking.
The first eight teams from this ranking will advance to the round of 16, while the remaining four third-placed teams will be sent home.
The key matches are yet to come
Several key matches remain before the knockout picture becomes clear. Australia and Paraguay meet in a virtual knockout clash, while the winners of the Japan-Sweden and Austria-Algeria matches will ensure passage to the next round. Cape Verde can make history with a knockout win over Saudi Arabia, while Colombia and Portugal will battle it out for top spot in Group K.By Sunday morning (in India), the identities of all 32 teams in the knockout stages will finally be known.
