World Cup 2026: third-place table, who has qualified and who needs what?
How are teams ranked? Teams level on points are separated, in order, by head-to-head points; head-to-head goal difference; head-to-head goals scored; overall goal difference; overall
How are teams ranked? Teams level on points are separated, in order, by head-to-head points; head-to-head goal difference; head-to-head goals scored; overall goal difference; overall goals scored; disciplinary points; Fifa ranking. The top two in each group qualify along with the eight best third-placed sides. Who are through to the last 32? Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, the USA and Colombia. Who have been eliminated? Haiti, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey and Panama. How does the third-place qualification work? The eight best third-placed teams qualify for the last 32 based on a ranking that, in order, takes into account: points, goal difference, goals scored, fair-play status and Fifa ranking. Five points will definitely be enough to qualify, given results so far. Third-place table 1 Sweden 3pts (6-6) 0GD (two games played) 2 Scotland 3pts (1-1) 0GD (two games) 3 Croatia 3pts (3-4) -1GD (two games) 4 Algeria 3pts (2-4) -2GD (two games) Team conduct -1 5 Paraguay 3pts (2-4) -2GD (two games) Team conduct -11 6 Cape Verde 2pts (2-2) 0GD (two games) 7 Belgium 2pts (1-1) 0GD (two games) 8 Czechia 1pt (2-3) -1GD (two games) 9 DR Congo 1pt (1-2) -1GD (two games) 10 Ecuador 1pt (0-1) -1GD (two games) 11 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1pt (2-5) -3GD (two games) 12 Senegal 0pt (3-6) -3GD (two games) Group A View image in fullscreen Mexico were the first team to qualify for the knockout rounds. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Fifa/Getty Images Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I. South Korea could match their points total but Mexico beat them so would be top on head-to-head. South Korea would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against South Africa. Czechia would progress in second if they beat Mexico, South Africa beat South Korea and they ultimately finish above South Africa.
Should the win and finish third they may have a route. South Africa progress in second if they beat South Korea and ultimately finish above Czechia. Should the win and finish third they may have a route. Remaining fixtures Mexico v Czechia, South Africa v South Korea. Group B Canada would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Switzerland. Switzerland would guarantee qualification with a win or a draw against Canada. The best Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar can realistically aim for when facing each other is a thumping victory, and with it a shot at one of the third-placed qualification places. Remaining fixtures Switzerland v Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina v Qatar. Group C Brazil would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Scotland. Morocco would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Haiti. Scotland would progress with a win against Brazil. A draw would at best leave them behind Morocco on head-to-head but four points with a level goal difference would mean a good chance of qualifying in third, albeit teams in later-finishing groups would know what they had to beat. Haiti are eliminated. Remaining fixtures Scotland v Brazil, Morocco v Haiti. Group D USA are through as winners and will face a third-placed team from Groups B, E, F, I or J. Australia would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Paraguay. Paraguay need to beat Australia to be sure, but a draw would give them a chance of qualifying in third. Turkey are eliminated. Remaining fixtures Turkey v USA, Paraguay v Australia. Group E Germany are through as group winners and will now face a third-placed team from Groups A, B, C, D or F. Côte d’Ivoire need a point against Curaçao to guarantee qualification. Ecuador need to beat Germany to have at least a third-place route and hope Curaçao defeat Côte d’Ivoire to finish second.
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