The battle for qualification to the second round of the 2026 World Cup is heating up with the new 48-team format. In this system, the top two teams from each group qualify directly for the Round of 16, while the eight best third-placed teams complete the bracket. After the first matchdays, several teams are still in contention, with very tight margins in the standings.
In this race, several African teams still have a shot at continuing in the competition. Algeria, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal are among the nations facing challenges but still in the mix, depending on results from other groups. The situation remains open, especially due to goal differences that could play a decisive role in case of points ties among several teams.
Updated standings of the best third-placed teams
| Rank | Team | Points | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | Scotland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Croatia | 3 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| 4 | Algeria | 3 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| 5 | Paraguay | 3 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| 6 | Cape Verde | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | Belgium | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | Czech Republic | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| 9 | DR Congo | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 10 | Ecuador | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 11 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 |
| 12 | Senegal | 0 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
This ranking highlights the intensity of the competition, where every goal can have a direct impact on qualification chances. Teams with three points hold a relatively favorable position, but they remain under threat from immediate competition.
Algeria and Paraguay, despite having a negative goal difference, are still lurking thanks to their points total. Sweden and Scotland, with more balanced stats, currently occupy more comfortable positions. On the other hand, teams with two points or fewer, like Cape Verde, Belgium, and Senegal, must urgently secure better results in their upcoming matches to keep their hopes alive.
The situation for DR Congo and Senegal looks more precarious. With only one point or none, these teams depend not only on their future performances but also on results from other groups. In this context, managing the final group matches will be crucial, as every mistake could jeopardize their qualification ambitions.
The group stage remains full of suspense, with an unstable hierarchy and multiple possible scenarios for advancing to the next round.
🔚 End of the match at MetLife Stadium. Our Lions fall 3-2 to Norway. There’s one last appointment in this group stage: Friday in Toronto against Iraq. pic.twitter.com/gAHyc6FmW1
— Senegal Team (@GaindeYi) June 23, 2026
