World Cup 2026 3rd place table LIVE: Latest standings as group stage reaches epic climax
WE are down to the final round of fixtures in the World Cup group stage. The expanded 48-team tournament means nations that finish third can still progress to the knockout stages. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The eight best-ranked third-place sides and the top two from each group will meet in a Round of 32. Scotland‘s hopes of reaching the knockouts of the World Cup for the first time took a major hit as they lost 3-0 to Brazil in their final group stage game. The Tartan Army’s loss meant they finished third in Group C and will be reliant on progressing as one of the best eight third-placed sides. Scotland’s heavy defeat to Brazil means they are clinging on to their spot in the top eight with a menacing -3 goal difference. READ MORE ON WORLD CUP And Ecuador’s shock victory over Germany has pushed the Scots down into the eighth and final 3rd place qualifying spot Big European nations like Belgium may also be reliant on the third-place progression route after disappointing starts to the group stage. SunSport brings you the latest standings in the third-place table below. Third place ranking table LIVE Here’s the latest standings for all current third-placed sides: Most read in Sport World Cup 2026 fixtures World Cup results How are the eight best third-place teams determined? The sides that finish third in their groups will be ranked by the following criteria in order: - Points - Goal difference - Goals scored - Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches - Fifa World Ranking World Cup 2026 - all the info LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize. England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought. But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance. SunSport have got everything you need for the huge tournament LATEST NEWS - EXCL: Rice fit to start against Panama after help from special socks - Furious Clarke storms out of interview after Scotland’s loss to Brazil - Tomas Soucek carried off after horror injury KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. When do the knockout rounds start? The round of 32 will begin with the runners-up in Group A taking on the runners-up in Group B on Sunday, June 28. Here are all the key dates you need for the knockout stages: - Round of 32: June 28 to July 3 - Round of 16: July 4-7 - Quarter-finals: July 9-11 - Semi-finals: July 14-15 - Third-place play-off: July 18 - Final: July 19