Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, DR Congo... the updated ranking of the best third-placed teams in the 2026 World Cup

26.06.26 FT World Cup

Senegal

5

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Iraq

0

The battle is fierce for tickets to the second round of the World Cup.

With the new 48-team World Cup format, eight spots are reserved for the best third-placed teams from the groups.

Several African sides are in the hunt for a place in the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, and DR Congo.

World Cup 2026: The official and complete group stage schedule

Here is the updated ranking of the best third-placed teams:

Sweden (3 points): 6 goals scored, 6 conceded (goal difference: +0).

Scotland (3 points): 1 goal scored, 1 conceded (goal difference: +0).

Croatia (3 points): 3 goals scored, 4 conceded (goal difference: -1).

Algeria (3 points): 2 goals scored, 4 conceded (goal difference: -2).

Paraguay (3 points): 2 goals scored, 4 conceded (goal difference: -2).

Cape Verde (2 points): 2 goals scored, 2 conceded (goal difference: +0).

Belgium (2 points): 1 goal scored, 1 conceded (goal difference: +0).

Czechia (1 point): 2 goals scored, 3 conceded (goal difference: -1).

DR Congo (1 point): 1 goal scored, 2 conceded (goal difference: -1).

Ecuador (1 point): 0 goals scored, 1 conceded (goal difference: -1).

Bosnia and Herzegovina (1 point): 2 goals scored, 5 conceded (goal difference: -3).

Senegal (0 points): 3 goals scored, 6 conceded (goal difference: -3).

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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