World Cup third-place standings: Which teams qualifed for Round of 32, latest points table
3 min readUpdated: Jun 28, 2026 10:14 AM IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Third-Placed standings: The race for the knockout spots is intensifying at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, with only 12 of the 32 spots confirmed, with only two days of action remaining in the group stages
Congo DR pulled off a stunning 3-1 result in their final Group K game against Uzbekistan, propelling them from 12th spot among the 12 third-placed teams to the top spot, securing qualification to the knockouts. With a sensational 3-3 draw against Austria, Algeria held onto the last available spot, pipping Iran.
A 0-0 draw to Saudi Arabia pulled debutants Cape Verde out from the third spot in Group H, securing a historic qualification behind Spain. The result meant that Uruguay finished third in the group, and with only two points to show, were knocked out of the tournament. A 2-1 win over Ghana, powered Croatia through as the second-placed team in Group L, dropping the former through as one of the best third-placed teams.
While group toppers and the second-placed teams are slotted for automatic qualification, the expanded 48-team tournament has also handed a lifeline for third-placed teams in their respective groups this time, eight of whom will also proceed to the Round of 32 stages, starting Monday.
Ecuador made a stunning comeback from the brink on Thursday night to thump group toppers Germany in a 2-1 win, sealing a slot among the best third-placed teams on the back of the three points they obtained late in Group E.
From Group B, Bosnia-Herzegovina have also booked a place with just four points, so have Sweden from Group F with a 1-1 draw against Japan in their last group match.
How are the third-placed teams ranked for Round of 32 qualification?
Story continues below this ad
The eight best third-placed teams for World Cup 2026 Round of 32 qualification are decided by:
- Points obtained in all group matches
- Goal difference from all group matches
- Goals scored in all group matches
- Fair Play – relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches
- FIFA ranking will come into play as final tie-breaker
ALSO READ | World Cup 2026 Group H: Can Spain be knocked out? Check qualification scenarios
FIFA World Cup 2026: Third-placed standings
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF/GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Congo DR | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4/3 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7/7 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/2 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5/6 | -1 | 4 |
| 6 | Algeria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5/7 | -2 | 4 |
| 7 | Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/4 | -2 | 4 |
| 8 | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8/6 | +2 | 3 |
| 9 | Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3/3 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2/3 | -1 | 3 |
| 11 | Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1/4 | -3 | 3 |
| 12 | Uruguay | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3/4 | -1 | 2 |
(Standings as of June 28, 2026)