Summary of the best third-place standings in the 2026 World Cup: Three teams have already qualified.
On 26 June 2026 GMT+7, a summary of the best third-place team standings in the 2026 World Cup is provided after the group stage concluded for the first six groups, A through F. Eight teams out of a total of 12 groups will advance, alongside the first and second place teams from each group.
1. Sweden 4 points (Group F / goal difference 0) *Qualified
2. Ecuador 4 points (Group E / 0) *Qualified
3. Bosnia 4 points (Group B / -1) *Qualified
4. Paraguay 4 points (Group D / -2)
5. Croatia 3 points (Group L / -1)
6. South Korea 3 points (Group A / -1)
7. Algeria 3 points (Group J / -2)
8. Scotland 3 points (Group C / -3)
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9. Cape Verde 2 points (Group H / 0)
10. Belgium 2 points (Group G / 0)
11. DR Congo 1 point (Group K / -1)
12. Senegal 0 points (Group I / -3)
Sweden, Ecuador, and Bosnia are the first three teams to qualify as the best third-place teams because four teams—South Korea (Group A, finished), Scotland (Group C, finished), DR Congo (Group K), and Senegal (Group I)—can no longer surpass their points.
1) Points earned
2) Goal difference
3) Goals scored
4) Fair play points
5) Latest FIFA world ranking (based on the most recent announcement on 11 June 2026)
6) Previous FIFA world ranking
