World Cup 2026

Best third-placed teams

Ranking of the best third-placed teams at the 2026 World Cup: 7 teams on 4 points plus Senegal qualifying as the 8th. Who advances, who is out.

8 Round-of-32 spots go to the best third-placed teams across the 12 groups. 7 teams finish on 4 points (all qualified); the 8th spot goes to Senegal, best of the teams on 3 points (+2 goal difference).

Best third-placed — final ranking
#Team (group)PtsGDStatus
1DR Congo (K)4+1Qualified
2Sweden (F)40Qualified
3Ghana (L)40Qualified
4Ecuador (E)40Qualified
5Bosnia (B)4-1Qualified
6Algeria (J)4-2Qualified
7Paraguay (D)4-2Qualified
8Senegal (I)3+2Qualified
9Iran (G)30Eliminated
10South Korea (A)3-1Eliminated
11Scotland (C)3-3Eliminated
12Uruguay (H)2-1Eliminated

See how they slot into the bracket →