With the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage nearing its end, several teams are competing for the remaining knockout-stage places reserved for the eight best third-placed sides. Outlets including The Guardian and Sky Sports present live third-place tables and explain what each team needs to reach the knockout round as final group matches approach. The qualification process for third-placed teams is determined by tournament tiebreakers. When teams are level on points, standings are separated using head-to-head results first: head-to-head points, then head-to-head goal difference, and then head-to-head goals scored. If teams are still level, the criteria shift to overall performance across the group stage, using overall goal difference and overall goals scored, followed by disciplinary points and FIFA ranking. Euronews similarly describes the method for identifying the eight qualifying third-placed teams, noting that the final third-place standings are decided on the night when the relevant group fixtures conclude.