Twelve groups each send a third-placed team into the race for eight Round-of-32 spots. They're ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. The top eight go through; the bottom four are eliminated.
This updates live as games are played — in-play goals move teams up and down the table in real time, so a single goal can flip a team above or below the cut-off.
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At the 48-team 2026 World Cup, the 12 groups each send their third-placed team into a single combined mini-table. The eight best third-placed teams qualify for the Round of 32, alongside the 12 group winners and 12 runners-up. The bottom four third-placed teams are eliminated.
The 12 third-placed teams are ranked by points first, then goal difference, then goals scored — the same criteria FIFA uses. The top eight in that order advance to the Round of 32.
As it stands, the third-placed teams in the eight qualifying places are Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Korea Republic, Paraguay, Algeria and Scotland. This updates live as the group games are played.
Sweden are the best-placed third team so far, top of the 12-team mini-table with 4 points. The order updates live as results come in.