First third-placed team to advance at World Cup identified
USA - Bosnia & Herzegovina have secured a spot in the knockout stage, thanks to a better record than the third-placed teams in five other groups at World Cup 2026.
World Cup 2026 not only expands to 48 teams, but also marks the return of the third-place team standings for the first time since the 1994 tournament. Teams advancing from the group stage will include the 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the 8 best third-placed teams.
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In the final match of Group B on June 24, Bosnia & Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1. The FIFA homepage subsequently confirmed that the Balkan team secured a spot in the round of 32, without having to wait for all 12 groups to finish.
Bosnia & Herzegovina players celebrate during the 3-1 win over Qatar in the final match of Group B at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA on June 24. Photo: Reuters
Among the 12 third-placed teams in the group stage, the four with the worst records will be eliminated. The 3-1 victory over Qatar in the final match gave Bosnia & Herzegovina 4 points and a -1 goal difference, a record guaranteed to be better than the third-placed teams in Groups A, C, D, I, and J, meaning they will finish above at least five other third-placed teams.
A few hours after Group B concluded, Group A was also decided, with the third-placed team, South Korea, having only 3 points and a -1 goal difference. Among the three completed groups, South Korea is the third-placed team with a worse record than Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B, but better than Scotland in Group C (three points, -3 goal difference).
In Group I, both Senegal and Iraq have no points after two matches. They will face each other in the final round and can only obtain a maximum of 3 points after three matches. Meanwhile, in Groups J and D, the third-place positions currently belong to Algeria and Paraguay, respectively, with 3 points after two matches and a -2 goal difference. The second-place positions in these two groups currently belong to Austria and Australia, both with three points.
World Cup 2026 standings
Third-placed teams Played +/- Pts [1
Mexico](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/mexico-16)
3
6
**9**[2
South Africa](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nam-phi-1531)
3
-1
**4**[3
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[4
Czech Republic](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ch-czech-770)
3
-4
**1**[1
Switzerland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-si-15)
3
4
**7**[2
Canada](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/canada-5529)
3
5
**4**[3
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[4
Qatar](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/qatar-1569)
3
-8
**1**[1
Brazil](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/brazil-6)
3
6
**7**[2
Morocco](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/morocco-31)
3
3
**7**[3
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[4
Haiti](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/haiti-2386)
3
-6
**0**[1
USA](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/my-2384)
2
5
**6**[2
Australia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/australia-20)
2
0
**3**[3
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
2
-2
**3**[4
Turkey](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tho-nhi-ky-777)
2
-3
**0**[1
Germany](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/duc-25)
2
7
**6**[2
Ivory Coast](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-bien-nga-1501)
2
0
**3**[3
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
2
-1
**1**[4
Curaçao](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/curacao-5530)
2
-6
**1**[1
Netherlands](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ha-lan-1118)
2
4
**4**[2
Japan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nhat-ban-12)
2
4
**4**[3
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
2
0
**3**[4
Tunisia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tunisia-28)
2
-8
**0**[1
Egypt](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ai-cap-32)
2
2
**4**[2
Iran](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iran-22)
2
0
**2**[3
Belgium](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bi-1)
2
0
**2**[4
New Zealand](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/new-zealand-4673)
2
-2
**1**[1
Spain](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tay-ban-nha-9)
2
4
**4**[2
Uruguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uruguay-7)
2
0
**2**[3
Cape Verde](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/cape-verde-1533)
2
0
**2**[4
Saudi Arabia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/saudi-arabia-23)
2
-4
**1**[1
France](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/phap-2)
2
5
**6**[2
Norway](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/na-uy-1090)
2
4
**6**[3
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
2
-3
**0**[4
Iraq](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iraq-1567)
2
-6
**0**[1
Argentina](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/argentina-26)
2
5
**6**[2
Austria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ao-775)
2
0
**3**[3
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[4
Jordan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/jordan-1548)
2
-3
**0**[1
Colombia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/colombia-8)
2
3
**6**[2
Portugal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-dao-nha-27)
2
5
**4**[3
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
**1**[4
Uzbekistan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uzbekistan-1568) 2 -7 0[1
England](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/anh-10)
2
2
**4**[2
Ghana](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ghana-1504)
2
1
**4**[3
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[4
Panama](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/panama-11)
2
-2
**0**[1
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[2
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
2
0
**3**[3
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[4
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[5
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[6
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
2
-2
**3**[7
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[8
Cape Verde](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/cape-verde-1533)
2
0
**2**[9
Belgium](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bi-1)
2
0
**2**[10
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
**1**[11
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
2
-1
**1**[12
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
2
-3
**0**
In final matchday, Algeria face Austria (Group J), Paraguay face Australia (Group D). Whatever results, Bosnia & Herzegovina still have better points or goal difference than third-place teams in both Group J and D.
Bosnia & Herzegovina won World Cup spot after difficult qualifying campaign. Trailed Wales in play-off semifinal, equalized late, won on penalties. Sergej Barbarez's team again trailed in play-off final against Italy, equalized late in second half, dragged match to extra time, won on penalties.
According to bracket, Bosnia & Herzegovina almost certainly face Group D winner, host USA, in round of 16.
Schedule - Results World Cup 2026
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Group L
[Croatia
17 : 00
Ghana
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489420/croatia-ghana)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489420/croatia-ghana)
Group L
[Panama
17 : 00
England
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489422/panama-anh)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489422/panama-anh)
Group K
[Colombia
19 : 30
Portugal
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489419/colombia-bo-dao-nha)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489419/colombia-bo-dao-nha)
Group K
[DR Congo
19 : 30
Uzbekistan
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1539013/chdc-congo-uzbekistan)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1539013/chdc-congo-uzbekistan)
Group J
[Algeria
22 : 00
Austria
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489418/algeria-ao)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489418/algeria-ao)
Group J
[Jordan
22 : 00
Argentina
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489421/jordan-argentina)
[Predict](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489421/jordan-argentina)
Monday, June 29, 2026
Round of 32
[South Africa
15 : 00
Canada
](javascript:;)
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Round of 32
[Runner-up F
13 : 00
Brazil
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Germany
16 : 30
3rd A/B/C/D/F
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Winner F
21 : 00
Morocco
](javascript:;)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Round of 32
[Runner-up E
13 : 00
Runner-up I
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Winner I
17 : 00
3rd C/D/F/G/H
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Mexico
21 : 00
3rd C/E/F/H/I
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Winner L
12 : 00
3rd E/H/I/J/K
](javascript:;)
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Round of 32
[Winner G
16 : 00
3rd A/E/H/I/J
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[USA
20 : 00
3rd B/E/F/I/J
](javascript:;)
Friday, July 3, 2026
Round of 32
[Winner H
15 : 00
Runner-up J
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Runner-up K
19 : 00
Runner-up L
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Switzerland
23 : 00
3rd E/F/G/I/J
](javascript:;)
Champion Best player Top scorer
Prediction time remaining: 20 days
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