Ranking Criteria for Teams
Teams that finish with the same number of points are ranked first by head-to-head points. If those are equal, the next criteria include head-to-head goal difference, goals scored in those matchups, overall goal difference, total goals scored, disciplinary points, and finally, FIFA rankings.
The top two teams from each group will move forward, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
Teams Qualified for the Knockout Stage
Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, the USA, and Colombia have all clinched their places in the knockout phase.
Eliminated Teams
Haiti, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Panama have been eliminated from the tournament.
Third-Place Qualification Explained
The eight best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage, determined by a ranking system that evaluates points, goal difference, goals scored, fair play, and FIFA ranking. Currently, a total of five points is likely to ensure qualification based on past performances.
Current Third-Place Standings
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 Overview
Mexico has emerged as the group winner and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H, or I in the knockout stage. Although South Korea could level their points, Mexico’s earlier victory ensures their top position due to head-to-head results.
South Korea can secure their qualification by winning or drawing against South Africa.
Czechia has a chance to advance in second place if they defeat Mexico while South Africa beats South Korea, allowing them to finish above South Africa. Even with a win, they could still qualify as third.
South Africa can clinch second place by overcoming South Korea and finishing ahead of Czechia; a win may also enable them to qualify as a third-placed team.
Upcoming matches feature Mexico against Czechia and South Africa taking on South Korea.
Group B Overview
Canada can guarantee their qualification with either a draw or a victory against Switzerland.
Switzerland also secures their spot with a draw or win against Canada.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar, their best hope lies in a significant win in their matchup, which could open up a pathway to third-placed qualification.
Remaining fixtures include Switzerland versus Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina against Qatar.
Group C Overview
Brazil will secure their qualification with a draw or win against Scotland.
Morocco can also guarantee advancement by drawing or defeating Haiti.
Scotland must win against Brazil to advance. A draw may leave them trailing Morocco in head-to-head but could still allow for third-place qualification if they finish with four points and an equal goal difference, depending on results from other groups.
Haiti has already been eliminated from the competition.
Remaining matches include Scotland facing Brazil and Morocco taking on Haiti.
Group D Overview
The USA has already qualified as the group winner and will play against a third-placed team from Groups B, E, F, I, or J.
Australia can ensure their place in the next round by drawing or winning against Paraguay.
Paraguay must triumph over Australia to qualify, while a draw could keep their hopes alive for third place.
Turkey has been knocked out of the tournament.
Remaining matches feature Turkey facing the USA and Paraguay against Australia.
Group E Overview
Germany has secured their position as group winners, set to meet a third-placed team from Groups A, B, C, D, or F.
Côte d’Ivoire requires at least a draw against Curaçao to guarantee their advancement.
Ecuador must defeat Germany to retain their chances for third-place qualification while hoping for a Curaçao win over Côte d’Ivoire.
Curaçao needs to overcome Côte d’Ivoire for a chance at third place, relying on Ecuador’s victory against Germany.
Remaining fixtures include Curaçao versus Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador against Germany.
Group F Overview
The Netherlands will qualify with either a win or draw against Tunisia.
Japan can secure their spot by drawing or winning against Sweden.
Sweden needs to win against Japan to guarantee their advancement. A draw would level their goal difference and high goals scored could still leave a chance for qualifying in third place.
Tunisia has been eliminated.
Remaining matches include Tunisia versus the Netherlands and Japan facing Sweden.
Group G Overview
Egypt can guarantee qualification with a draw or victory over Iran.
Iran will secure their spot with a win against Egypt.
Belgium will qualify if they win against New Zealand.
New Zealand must defeat Belgium to stay in contention for third place, hoping Iran does not overcome Egypt.
Remaining matches feature Egypt against Iran and New Zealand going up against Belgium.
Group H Overview
Spain will secure their advancement with a draw or win against Uruguay.
Uruguay requires a victory over Spain to guarantee their progression. A draw may offer a slim chance for third place, but clarity will arise after the match.
Cape Verde will advance if they beat Saudi Arabia, while a draw offers them a slight chance at third place.
Saudi Arabia must win against Cape Verde to have any hope for third place and rely on Uruguay failing to win against Spain.
Remaining fixtures include Uruguay facing Spain and Cape Verde against Saudi Arabia.
Group I Overview
France and Norway have both qualified for the knockout stage.
Senegal and Iraq face off, knowing they must win to keep their hopes alive for one of the best eight third-placed spots, though they will need assistance from other matches.
Remaining fixtures feature Norway against France and Senegal facing Iraq.
Group J Overview
Argentina has advanced as the group winner and will meet the runners-up from Group H in the knockout rounds.
Austria can progress with a win or draw against Algeria.
Algeria needs to claim victory over Austria to qualify.
As the last group to conclude their matches, Austria and Algeria will be aware of whether a narrow loss might still allow for third-place qualification; for Algeria, a draw may suffice.
Jordan has been eliminated.
Remaining fixtures include Algeria against Austria and Jordan facing Argentina.
Group K Overview
Colombia has qualified and will top the group if they avoid defeat against Portugal.
Portugal will advance if they do not lose to Colombia, and with four points and a strong goal difference, they would only miss out on a third-place route in the case of a heavy loss.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo must beat Uzbekistan to keep their hopes alive, but as one of the last groups to begin, they may know how many goals are needed for a third-place route.
Uzbekistan must significantly defeat the DRC to remain in contention and may face elimination if too many groups have third-placed teams with four points.
Remaining matches feature Colombia versus Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo against Uzbekistan.
Group L Overview
England will qualify if they avoid a loss to Panama.
Ghana can also qualify if they do not lose to Croatia.
Croatia must win against Ghana to ensure their advancement, while a draw could still leave them a chance at third place.
Panama has been eliminated.
Remaining fixtures include England taking on Panama and Croatia facing Ghana.
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