- Home >
- Soccer >
- FIFA World Cup >
- FIFA World Cup 2026: How Many Third-Place Teams Advance to the Round of 32?
FIFA World Cup 2026: How Many Third-Place Teams Advance to the Round of 32?
The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its decisive phase as the final round of matches begins across all groups. One of the most common questions among fans is what happens to teams that finish third in their group.
The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its decisive phase as the final round of matches begins across all groups. One of the most common questions among fans is what happens to teams that finish third in their group.
Unlike previous editions, the expanded 48-team format keeps several third-place teams alive, meaning many nations enter the final matchday relying not only on their own results but also on what happens elsewhere.
How Many Teams Advance to the Round of 32?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition featuring 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four.
The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the Round of 32, guaranteeing places for 24 nations.
They are joined by the eight best third-place teams, completing the 32-team knockout bracket.
As a result, finishing third no longer means automatic elimination, which explains why so many teams remain in contention heading into the final group-stage matches.
How Are the Best Third-Place Teams Determined?
Once the group stage concludes, FIFA creates a separate standings table featuring the third-place teams from all 12 groups.
The top eight teams in that ranking advance to the Round of 32, while the remaining four are eliminated.
Tiebreakers Between Third-Place Teams
Because the teams come from different groups and have not played one another, head-to-head results cannot be used as a tiebreaker.
If two or more third-place teams finish level on points, the following criteria are applied:
- Goal difference.
- Most goals scored.
- Fair play ranking.
- FIFA ranking.
These tiebreakers could prove crucial in a tournament where several groups may be decided by the slimmest of margins.
Time for the Calculators
With the final group-stage matches underway, teams from every continent are still dreaming of reaching the knockout rounds.
That means fans will be keeping a close eye not only on their own nation's results but also on matches across other groups, hoping their team can secure one of the eight coveted third-place spots and keep its World Cup journey alive.
