ATLANTA, June 19 – The expanded field of 48 teams competing in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States has created a new dynamic in tournament group standings. Our world cup points table 2026 offers focused insights into how teams are performing.
In 38 FIFA tournaments and continental championships where there have been 24 teams, the best four third-placed finishers in each group advanced to the knockout stages.
With the World Cup Points Table 2026, fans can track how teams compare in their groups and which sides are progressing toward the knockout stages.
Groups
With the first round of group matches underway, football fans have begun to get a clearer picture of what their group-stage results will mean for their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.
This year, FIFA’s expanded field of 48 teams will see the top two finishers from each of the 12 groups – and the best eight third-placed sides – advance to the last 32. The new format also means that every goal, card and result could matter if teams are fighting for those final qualifying spots.
In the event that teams are tied after their first three group-stage matches, FIFA will use a number of criteria to determine who qualifies as one of the best eighth third-placed teams, including points earned and goal difference in all group matches, as well as team conduct scores, which consider yellow and red cards for players and coaches.
If the teams are still level after those factors have been considered, FIFA will then compare the teams based on their most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.
Mexico, the co-hosts of the tournament, open their campaign on June 11 at the storied Azteca Stadium against South Africa. El Tri will hope to rebound from missing out on the knockout stages in 2022, while South Africa will look to replicate their famous victory over Germany in 2010. The Czech Republic and South Korea complete a balanced and wide-open group.
World Cup betting is on the rise and FOX Sports offers a full range of live action, replays, highlights, analysis and more for this summer’s tournament. FOX Sports will air every match on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 in Canada, as well as the American-based FOX Sports regional networks, including FOX Sports GO.
Five-time champions Brazil face North African heavyweights Morocco in one of the most mouthwatering fixtures of the group stage. Ecuador, Sweden and minnows Curacao complete an intriguing if uneven group.
Quarter-finals
After Canada lost to Morocco, Mexico fell to England and the USMNT was eliminated by Belgium, only eight teams remain in contention for the 2026 World Cup title. Reigning champions Argentina will face Spain in the quarterfinals, while Switzerland will take on Belgium. Spain had to overcome a spirited Portugal team, and Argentina won a dramatic game against Egypt. The full knockout round schedule is available here. FOX Sports and FOX One are your complete home for every match of the tournament, which is being hosted in the United States for the first time since 2010. All games will be played at venues across the country including New York/New Jersey, Houston, Philadelphia, Dallas and Dallas/Forth Worth.
Semi-finals
After a thrilling quarterfinal round, the World Cup is down to four teams, who are all dreaming of winning the championship. The semifinal round will feature two matches, with the winners advancing to play each other in the final on July 19. In addition, the losers of those two matches will play on July 18 in the third-place match.
South Africa and India qualified as the top two teams from Group 1, while New Zealand and England made it out of the Super 8 stage. Co-hosts Sri Lanka were the first team to crash out of the tournament following a 61-run defeat to New Zealand in their last Super 8 match.
In order to win the championship, a team must win all five knockout stage matches. The World Cup Points Table 2026 provides an overview of team standings during the group stage, while the knockout rounds determine which teams progress toward the title.
If a knockout match ends in a tie, the teams will head into a penalty shootout. In the shootout, each team will choose five players to participate, and the team with the most goals wins. If there is still no winner, the teams will play a penalty shootout for a second time.
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