The group stage of World Cup 2026 is nearing a conclusion and the battle is on for a place in knockout stages, with eight third-placed sides heading through to the last 32 – and Scotland face a nervous wait.
For the first time in the World Cup’s history, 48 nations are competing in the tournament. They were divided into 12 groups of four, with co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada all given top-seed status in the draw.
The 12 group winners and 12 runners-up will automatically go through to the round of 32, and they will be joined by the eight best third-placed finishers. They will be ranked by points; then goal difference; goals scored; team conduct score; Fifa ranking.
It is a complicated format to predict, but the mathematical models suggest three points and a goal difference of minus two should be enough to reach the knockout stages. Scotland are right on the brink after finishing Group C with three points and a goal difference of minus three, and can only wait to discover their fate.
One thing is sure – it is favourable to play your final group game later in the schedule, when you’ll likely know what you’ll need to qualify in third place.
Here is how the third-placed sides currently stand:
Here are the full group stage standings:
And here are how the knockout rounds are shaping up:
The World Cup began in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, the site of Diego Maradona’s most famous and infamous goals against England at the 1986 World Cup.
It was also the venue for two classic World Cup finals: Brazil’s win over Italy in 1970 which included Carlos Alberto’s iconic team goal to cap a 4-1 win; and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, where Jorge Burruchaga grabbed an 84th-minute winner.
Mexico and Canada will host 13 games in each, and the United States will host 78. From the quarter-finals onwards, the US will host all of the remaining matches, with the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
