With the World Cup 2026 group stage hurtling towards its end, seven teams have already secured their spots in the last 32. Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, the USA, and Colombia are through. Meanwhile, Haiti, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Panama have been eliminated.
How Teams Are 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, and FIFA ranking. The top two in each group qualify, along with the eight best third-placed sides.
Third-Place Qualification
The eight best third-placed teams qualify based on a ranking that considers: 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 (2 games)
2. Scotland: 3pts (1-1), 0GD (2 games)
3. Croatia: 3pts (3-4), -1GD (2 games)
4. Algeria: 3pts (2-4), -2GD (2 games), conduct -1
5. Paraguay: 3pts (2-4), -2GD (2 games), conduct -11
6. Cape Verde: 2pts (2-2), 0GD (2 games)
7. Belgium: 2pts (1-1), 0GD (2 games)
8. Czechia: 1pt (2-3), -1GD (2 games)
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9. DR Congo: 1pt (1-2), -1GD (2 games)
10. Ecuador: 1pt (0-1), -1GD (2 games)
11. Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1pt (2-5), -3GD (2 games)
12. Senegal: 0pt (3-6), -3GD (2 games)
Group A
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 Mexico 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 finish above South Africa. South Africa progress in second if they beat South Korea and finish above Czechia. 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 draw against Canada. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar face each other and can realistically aim for a thumping victory to have a shot at third place. 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 leave them behind Morocco on head-to-head but four points with a level goal difference would give a good chance of qualifying in third. 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; 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 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. Curaçao need to beat Côte d’Ivoire and hope Germany win or draw against Ecuador. Remaining fixtures: Curaçao v Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador v Germany.
Group F
The Netherlands would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against Tunisia. Japan would qualify with a draw or win against Sweden. Sweden need to beat Japan to guarantee qualification; a draw would give them a good chance of a third-place route. Tunisia are eliminated. Remaining fixtures: Tunisia v Netherlands, Japan v Sweden.
Group G
Egypt would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Iran. Iran would guarantee qualification with a win against Egypt. Belgium would guarantee qualification with a win against New Zealand. New Zealand need to beat Belgium to have a third-place route and hope Iran fail to beat Egypt. Remaining fixtures: Egypt v Iran, New Zealand v Belgium.
Group H
Spain would guarantee qualification with a draw or win against Uruguay. Uruguay need to beat Spain to guarantee qualification; a draw would give them a slim chance of a third-place route. Cape Verde will progress if they beat Saudi Arabia; a draw would give them a slim chance. Saudi Arabia need to beat Cape Verde and hope Uruguay fail to win. Remaining fixtures: Uruguay v Spain, Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia.
Group I
France and Norway have qualified. Senegal and Iraq face each other; both must win to stand any chance of progressing as one of the best eight third-placed teams. Remaining fixtures: Norway v France, Senegal v Iraq.
Group J
Argentina are through as group winners and will face the runners-up from Group H. Austria would progress with a win or draw against Algeria. Algeria would reach the last 32 if they beat Austria. Jordan are eliminated. Remaining fixtures: Algeria v Austria, Jordan v Argentina.
Group K
Colombia have qualified and will top the group if they avoid defeat by Portugal. Portugal qualify if they avoid defeat against Colombia; with four points and a strong goal difference, they would have to lose heavily to miss out. DR Congo need to beat Uzbekistan to keep their hopes alive. Uzbekistan need to beat DR Congo by a big margin. Remaining fixtures: Colombia v Portugal, DR Congo v Uzbekistan.
Group L
England qualify if they avoid defeat against Panama. Ghana qualify if they avoid defeat against Croatia. Croatia need to beat Ghana to be sure; a draw may give a third-place route. Panama have been eliminated. Remaining fixtures: England v Panama, Croatia v Ghana.
