There's been a gradual increase in teams competing at the World Cup since 1950, with 13 becoming 16, 16 becoming 24, 24 becoming 32 and, now, 32 becoming 48.
Not only did the increase to 48 teams open the door for more nations to qualify, it gives nations a greater chance of advancing to the knockout stage.
Instead of 16 teams advancing to the first knockout round -- which has previously been the Round of 16 -- 32 nations will now make it out of the group for the newly-added Round of 32. In eight of the 12 groups, three teams will book their spot in the Round of 32, while in four groups just the winners and runners-up will book their place in the knockouts.
The 12 third-placed teams at the end of the group stage will be put into a table, where the eight nations with the most points will advance. In the event that teams are tied on points -- a likely scenario -- it will be ranked in order of highest goal difference, most goals scored, team conduct score and FIFA world ranking.
Find the latest third-placed teams table rankings at the 2026 World Cup below.
World Cup third-placed teams table rankings
Position | Team | Goal Difference | Points |
1) | Sweden | 0 | 3 |
2) | Scotland | 0 | 3 |
3) | Algeria | -2 | 3 |
4) | Paraguay | -2 | 3 |
5) | Cape Verde | 0 | 2 |
6) | Belgium | 0 | 2 |
7) | Portugal | 0 | 1 |
8) | Czech Republic | -1 | 1 |
9) | Ecuador | -1 | 1 |
10) | Bosnia | -3 | 1 |
11) | Panama | -1 | 0 |
12) | Senegal | -3 | 0 |
Table correct at time of writing.
