WE are down to the final round of fixtures in the World Cup group stage.

The expanded means nations that finish third can still progress to the knockout stages.

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Scotland v BrazilScotland’s hopes of reaching the knockouts are hanging by a thread Credit: Reuters FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw - PreviewsThe World Cup group stage is heading for a thrilling climax Credit: Getty

The eight best-ranked third-place sides and the top two from each group will meet in a Round of 32.

‘s hopes of reaching the knockouts of the World Cup for the first time took a major hit as they lost 3-0 to Brazil in their final group stage game.

The Tartan Army’s loss meant they finished third in Group C and will be reliant on progressing as one of the best eight third-placed sides.

Scotland’s heavy defeat to Brazil means they are clinging on to their spot in the top eight with a menacing -3 goal difference.

And Ecuador’s shock victory over Germany has pushed the Scots down into the eighth and final 3rd place qualifying spot

Big European nations like may also be reliant on the third-place progression route after disappointing starts to the group stage.

brings you the latest standings in the third-place table below.

Third place ranking table LIVE

Here’s the latest standings for all current third-placed sides:

Group A P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
3
0
0
6
9
2
3
1
1
1
-1
4
3
3
1
0
2
-1
3
4
3
0
1
2
-4
1
Group B P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
4
7
2
3
1
1
1
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
-1
4
4
3
0
1
2
-8
1
Group C P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
6
7
2
3
2
1
0
3
7
3
3
1
0
2
-3
3
4
3
0
0
3
-6
0
Group D P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
5
7
2
3
1
1
1
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
-2
4
4
3
0
1
2
-3
1
Group E P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
0
1
6
6
2
3
2
0
1
2
6
3
3
1
1
1
0
4
4
3
0
1
2
-8
1
Group F P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
6
7
2
3
1
2
0
4
5
3
3
1
1
1
0
4
4
3
0
0
3
-10
0
Group G P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
2
4
2
2
0
2
0
0
2
3
2
0
2
0
0
2
4
2
0
1
1
-2
1
Group H P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
4
4
2
2
0
2
0
0
2
3
2
0
2
0
0
2
4
2
0
1
1
-4
1
Group I P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
5
6
2
2
2
0
0
4
6
3
2
0
0
2
-3
0
4
2
0
0
2
-6
0
Group J P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
5
6
2
2
1
0
1
0
3
3
2
1
0
1
-2
3
4
2
0
0
2
-3
0
Group K P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
3
6
2
2
1
1
0
5
4
3
2
0
1
1
-1
1
4
2
0
0
2
-7
0
Group L P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
2
4
2
2
1
1
0
1
4
3
2
1
0
1
-1
3
4
2
0
0
2
-2
0
3rd Place Ranking P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
1
1
1
0
4
2
3
1
1
1
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
-1
4
4
3
1
1
1
-2
4
5
2
1
0
1
-1
3
6
3
1
0
2
-1
3
7
2
1
0
1
-2
3
8
3
1
0
2
-3
3
9
2
0
2
0
0
2
10
2
0
2
0
0
2
11
2
0
1
1
-1
1
12
2
0
0
2
-3
0

World Cup 2026 fixtures

Friday 26 June
Norway
Norway-flag
20:00
Group I
France-flag
France
Senegal
Senegal-flag
20:00
Group I
Iraq-flag
Iraq
Saturday 27 June
Uruguay
Uruguay-flag
01:00
Group H
Spain-flag
Spain

World Cup results

Friday 26 June
Thursday 25 June

How are the eight best third-place teams determined?

The sides that finish third in their groups will be ranked by the following criteria in order:

  1. Points
  2. Goal difference
  3. Goals scored
  4. Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches
  5. Fifa World Ranking

When do the knockout rounds start?

The round of 32 will begin with the runners-up in Group A taking on the runners-up in Group B on Sunday, June 28.

Here are all the key dates you need for the knockout stages:

  • Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
  • Round of 16: July 4-7
  • Quarter-finals: July 9-11
  • Semi-finals: July 14-15
  • Third-place play-off: July 18
  • Final: July 19

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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