Bosnia and Herzegovina became the first third-placed team to confirm its Round of 32 fixture. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The decision to expand the FIFA World Cup from 32 teams to 48 has added a few complications in the tournament’s progression from the group stage to the knockouts.

The introduction of a Round of 32 stage meant that in addition to the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, eight best third-placed teams also make it to the knockouts.

All eight third-placed teams will face a Group winner in the first knockout round.

The Round of 32 fixtures will also not be fully finalised until the third-placed teams are determined in all groups.

Annexe C of the FIFA World Cup 2026 regulations provides a chart that outlines all combinations for the round of 32 at the completion of the group stage.

As per this chart, there are 495 possible matchups for eight best‑ranked third‑placed teams in the round of 32. This is based on which group gets a third-placed team in the knockout round. A change in the group combination would result in a different outcome in the round of 32 fixtures.

For example, let’s take the case of Germany, which is assured of topping Group E. If the third-placed teams from Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H qualify for the knockouts, Germany will face the third-placed team from Group C.

But, if instead of Group H, the third-placed team from Group I qualifies, Germany would face the third-placed team from Group D, which is likely to be Paraguay or Australia.

These permutations are likely kept in place so that teams from the same group are kept apart until the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

As of now, more than three quarters of the 495 combinations have become invalid.

Bosnia and Herzegovina became the first third-placed team to confirm its Round of 32 fixture, against USA. This was because in all the remaining possible combinations, the winner of Group D will face the third-placed team in Group B, which happened to be USA and Bosnia, respectively.

Published on Jun 26, 2026