The final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage starts on June 24, with the four teams in each group playing simultaneously.
This time, in the expanded 48-team tournament, the top teams from each group and the top eight teams in third place overall will qualify for the first knockout round.
Here’s how the tiebreaker for the top eight third-place teams is decided:
1. most points achieved in all group matches
2. highest goal difference over all group matches
3. most goals scored in all group matches
4. highest team conduct score (players and team officials) — yellow and red cards obtained
5. Latest FIFA World Rankings
Published on June 24, 2026
