The 2026 World Cup enters its most intense and dramatic phase, with the group stage close to concluding and a silent, but decisive battle for the classification of the best third parties.
The new format, with 48 teams, transformed the competition by expanding the possibilities of classification and keeping alive teams that, in previous editions, would have already been eliminated. In this context, every goal, every point and every difference acquires a determining value.
In this system, the 48 teams are distributed into 12 groups. The first two in each group advance directly to the round of 32, as do the eight best third parties. This change increased the intensity of the matches, since even teams that do not dominate their group retain real chances of qualifying, which causes high-tension closures in each sector.
The dispute for those eight spots became a parallel competition. The selections not only depend on their results, but also on what happens in the other groups.
Goal difference, the number of goals scored and even the criterion of fair play can be decisive, so teams must maintain concentration until the last minute.
In case of a tie on points, the FIFA applies progressive tie-breaking criteria. First the goal difference is taken into account; then the number of goals scored and, subsequently, the results between the teams involved.
If equality persists, the fair play criterion is used, which shows that every detail can be decisive in such a competitive format.
This is how the table of third places in the 2026 World Cup goes for now