The final places in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 have been confirmed, with eight teams progressing as the tournament’s best third-placed finishers after an enthralling group stage across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The expanded 48-team World Cup format allows the top two teams from each of the 12 groups to qualify automatically, while the eight best third-placed teams also earn a place in the knockout rounds.
Among those celebrating qualification are African representatives Ghana, Senegal and DR Congo, underlining the continent’s impressive showing at the tournament. Ghana secured progression despite a narrow defeat to Croatia in their final group match, while Senegal and DR Congo also did enough across their respective groups to extend their World Cup campaigns.
European nations Croatia and Sweden also advanced as best third-placed teams, alongside South America’s Ecuador, North America’s Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South America’s Paraguay.
Best Third-Placed Teams to Qualify
- Ecuador (Group E)
- Sweden (Group F)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B)
- Senegal (Group I)
- Ghana (Group L)
- DR Congo (Group K)
- Paraguay (Group D)
- Croatia (Group L)
The qualification of three African nations through the best third-placed ranking highlights the growing competitiveness of African football on the global stage. Combined with the teams that finished in the top two of their groups, Africa has enjoyed one of its strongest World Cup performances in history.
Attention now turns to the Round of 32, where the remaining 32 nations will battle for a place in the last 16. Several mouthwatering fixtures await, including Ghana facing Colombia, Senegal taking on Belgium, DR Congo meeting England, and Croatia clashing with Portugal.
With the knockout stage set to begin, the margin for error has disappeared. Every match will be win-or-go-home as nations continue their quest to lift football’s biggest prize.
