Sweden is the highest-ranked third-place team in FIFA World Cup 2026 after Round 2. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The expanded nature of the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup means teams can qualify for the knockout stages even by finishing third in the group phase.

With a round of 32 in place, the top two teams from each group will progress in the knockouts alongside eight third-placed teams.

Once the group stage ends, the 12 third-placed teams will be clubbed together. The best eight will then be decided based on the following criteria, in the descending order:

• greatest number of points obtained in all group matches
• goal difference resulting from all group matches
• greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
• highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches
• the two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking

There are five teams with three points each here. Among them only Sweden and Scotland have a non-negative goal difference, putting them on top of the table. Sweden pips Scotland as it has scored more goals.

Published on Jun 24, 2026