Best third-placed teams

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Twelve groups each send a third-placed team into the race for eight Round-of-32 spots. They're ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. The top eight go through; the bottom four are eliminated.

The group stage is complete — these eight third-placed teams are confirmed for the Round of 32.

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GD	Pts
1	Congo DR K	3	1	1	1	4	+1	4
2	Sweden F	3	1	1	1	7	0	4
3	Ecuador E	3	1	1	1	2	0	4
4	Ghana L	3	1	1	1	2	0	4
5	Bosnia & Herz.B	3	1	1	1	5	-1	4
6	Algeria J	3	1	1	1	5	-2	4
7	Paraguay D	3	1	1	1	2	-2	4
8	Senegal I	3	1	0	2	8	+2	3
Qualification cut-off
9	Iran G	3	0	3	0	3	0	3
10	South Korea A	3	1	0	2	2	-1	3
11	Scotland C	3	1	0	2	1	-3	3
12	Uruguay H	3	0	2	1	3	-1	2

Top 8 — advance to Round of 32Bottom 4 — eliminated

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Best third-placed teams — frequently asked

How do the best third-placed teams work at the World Cup 2026?

At the 48-team 2026 World Cup, the 12 groups each send their third-placed team into a single combined mini-table. The eight best third-placed teams qualify for the Round of 32, alongside the 12 group winners and 12 runners-up. The bottom four third-placed teams are eliminated.

How are the World Cup 2026 third-placed teams ranked?

The 12 third-placed teams are ranked by points first, then goal difference, then goals scored — the same criteria FIFA uses. The top eight in that order advance to the Round of 32.

Which third-placed teams qualify for the Round of 32?

The eight third-placed teams through to the Round of 32 are Congo DR, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay and Senegal.

Who is the best third-placed team at the World Cup 2026 right now?

Congo DR are the best-placed third team so far, top of the 12-team mini-table with 4 points. The order updates live as results come in.