The new format makes the World Cup unpredictable.

The eight best third-placed teams to qualify for the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup may only be decided after the final whistle of the last group stage match.

The race for third-place finishes at the 2026 World Cup may only be decided after the final group stage match.

The 2026 World Cup is the biggest World Cup in history, and it also presents a more complex ranking system than usual. With a format of 12 groups, not only do the top two teams in each group advance, but the eight best third-placed teams also qualify for the knockout round.

This makes the group stage unpredictable until the very last minute. According to AS , determining the opponent of each third-placed team in the knockout round can create up to 495 different possibilities. In other words, the qualification of third-placed teams depends not only on their own results but also on developments in many other groups.

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According to FIFA regulations for the 2026 World Cup, the first criterion for selecting the eight best third-placed teams is points. If teams are tied on points, goal difference will be considered next. In the event that a tie still cannot be broken, the number of goals scored will become the deciding factor.

If professional criteria are still insufficient to differentiate the teams, FIFA will consider the team's conduct score. This criterion relates to the number of yellow and red cards, meaning the team with better discipline will have an advantage. The most recent FIFA ranking, and previous FIFA rankings, are only used as a last resort.

It's worth noting that the selection of the eight best third-placed teams differs from the ranking process within the same group. In each group, when teams are tied on points, the first criterion is the head-to-head record between the teams involved. Only then is the goal difference and the number of goals scored in those matches considered.

This format means that every goal, every yellow card, and even the way the game is managed can affect the fate of a team. With the 2026 World Cup, the race for the play-off spots is no longer a secondary issue; it could become one of the hottest topics of the group stage.

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Source: https://znews.vn/the-thuc-moi-khien-world-cup-kho-luong-post1661853.html