How Are Teams Ranked?
Teams are ranked by points first; if tied, the next criteria include head-to-head points, followed by head-to-head goal difference, and head-to-head goals scored. The ranking continues with overall goal difference, total goals scored, disciplinary points, and ultimately, FIFA rankings.
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
Teams Already Qualified for the Knockout Stage
Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, the USA, and Colombia have all secured their places in the knockout rounds.
Teams Eliminated from the Tournament
The following teams have been eliminated from the competition: Haiti, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Panama.
Understanding Third-Place Qualification
The eight best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage, using a ranking system that considers points, goal difference, goals scored, fair play status, and FIFA ranking. Currently, accumulating five points will almost guarantee a spot in the next round.
Current Third-Place Table
1 Sweden 3pts (6-6) 0GD (two games played) 2 Scotland 3pts (1-1) 0GD (two games) 3 Croatia 3pts (3-4) -1GD (two games) 4 Algeria 3pts (2-4) -2GD (two games) Team conduct -1 5 Paraguay 3pts (2-4) -2GD (two games) Team conduct -11 6 Cape Verde 2pts (2-2) 0GD (two games) 7 Belgium 2pts (1-1) 0GD (two games) 8 Czechia 1pt (2-3) -1GD (two games) ————- 9 DR Congo 1pt (1-2) -1GD (two games) 10 Ecuador 1pt (0-1) -1GD (two games) 11 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1pt (2-5) -3GD (two games) 12 Senegal 0pt (3-6) -3GD (two games)
Group A
Mexico has emerged as the group winner and will face a third-placed team from Groups C, E, F, H, or I in the next round. Although South Korea could match their points, Mexico’s previous victory ensures their top position due to head-to-head results.
South Korea can secure their advancement by either winning or drawing against South Africa.
Czechia can potentially advance in second place by defeating Mexico, provided South Africa beats South Korea, and they finish above South Africa. However, even if they place third, there may still be a chance to progress.
If South Africa wins against South Korea, they will move on to the knockout stage, assuming they finish above Czechia. A win that places them in third might still leave the door open for advancement.
The remaining matches include Mexico taking on Czechia and South Africa facing South Korea.
Group B
Canada can secure their qualification by either drawing or winning against Switzerland.
Switzerland will also ensure their advancement with a win or draw against Canada.
Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar are looking for significant victories in their match to potentially qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
The remaining fixtures are Switzerland versus Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina against Qatar.
Group C
Brazil will guarantee their advancement with a win or draw against Scotland.
Morocco can also assure their place with a draw or victory over Haiti.
Scotland must win against Brazil to progress. A draw might leave them behind Morocco based on head-to-head results, but with four points and an equal goal difference, they could still have a chance to qualify in third, depending on subsequent match outcomes.
Haiti has been eliminated from the tournament.
Remaining fixtures include Scotland versus Brazil and Morocco against Haiti.
Group D
The USA has qualified as the group winner and will face a third-placed team from Groups B, E, F, I, or J.
Australia can assure their advancement with a win or draw against Paraguay.
Paraguay must defeat Australia to secure their qualification, but a draw could still keep their hopes alive for a third-place finish.
Turkey has been eliminated.
The remaining matches feature Turkey versus the USA and Paraguay against Australia.
Group E
Germany has confirmed their status as group winners and will compete against a third-placed team from Groups A, B, C, D, or F.
Côte d’Ivoire needs just one point against Curaçao to guarantee their spot in the knockout stage.
Ecuador must defeat Germany to maintain their chances of qualifying in third place, assuming Curaçao loses to Côte d’Ivoire.
Curaçao needs a victory over Côte d’Ivoire to remain in contention for third place, while hoping for a draw or loss from Germany against Ecuador.
Remaining fixtures include Curaçao versus Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador against Germany.
Group F
The Netherlands will qualify with either a win or draw against Tunisia.
Japan can secure their position by drawing or winning against Sweden.
Sweden must defeat Japan to ensure their advancement; however, a draw would leave them with a balanced goal difference and a strong goals scored record, significantly improving their chances of qualifying in third place.
Tunisia has been eliminated from the tournament.
Remaining matches feature Tunisia versus the Netherlands and Japan against Sweden.
Group G
Egypt can guarantee their advancement with a draw or victory against Iran.
Iran needs to win against Egypt to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Belgium will secure their position with a win over New Zealand.
New Zealand must defeat Belgium to keep their hopes alive for third-place qualification, while also needing Iran to avoid a win against Egypt.
Remaining fixtures are Egypt versus Iran and New Zealand against Belgium.
Group H
Spain can qualify with a draw or win against Uruguay.
Uruguay needs to beat Spain to secure their position. A draw could leave them with a slim chance for third-place qualification, but clarity may emerge by the time their match concludes.
Cape Verde will advance if they defeat Saudi Arabia. A draw would leave them with a minimal chance for third-place qualification, depending on results from other matches.
Saudi Arabia must win against Cape Verde to have at least a chance at third place, while hoping Uruguay does not win against Spain.
Remaining fixtures include Uruguay versus Spain and Cape Verde against Saudi Arabia.
Group I
France and Norway have successfully reached the knockout stage.
Senegal and Iraq are both aware that they must win to have any hope of advancing as one of the best eight third-placed teams, but they will need assistance from other matches to ensure three points are sufficient.
The remaining fixtures are Norway versus France and Senegal against Iraq.
Group J
Argentina has qualified as the group winner and will face the runners-up from Group H in the knockout stage.
Austria can progress with a win or draw against Algeria.
Algeria must secure a win against Austria to advance to the last 32.
As the last group to conclude, Austria and Algeria might find themselves in a position to know if they could qualify with a narrow defeat, or if a draw would suffice for Algeria.
Jordan has been eliminated.
The remaining fixtures are Algeria versus Austria and Jordan against Argentina.
Group K
Colombia has qualified and can top the group if they avoid defeat against Portugal.
Portugal will qualify if they do not lose to Colombia; with four points and a strong goal difference, they would have to lose significantly to miss out on third-place qualification.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must defeat Uzbekistan to keep their hopes alive, but by the time they play, they will likely understand the necessary margin of victory to potentially qualify in third.
Uzbekistan needs to beat the DRC by a considerable margin to remain in contention, as they may face elimination if too many teams in other groups finish with four points.
Remaining fixtures include Colombia against Portugal and the DRC versus Uzbekistan.
Group L
England will qualify if they do not lose to Panama.
Ghana will also qualify with a draw or win against Croatia.
Croatia must win against Ghana to secure their place, although a draw could still allow for a third-place route.
Panama has been eliminated from the tournament.
The remaining matches feature England versus Panama and Croatia against Ghana.
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