Iran’s Third-Place Race Hangs in the Balance at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is producing drama not only for teams fighting to finish first or second, but also for those trying to advance from third place. On Saturday, a goalless draw between Belgium and Iran kept that competition tight, with the third-place route now looking like a separate race of its own.

Under the tournament format, eight of the 12 best third-place teams will reach the round of 32. Unlike previous World Cups, where only the top two from each group advanced, this edition gives more teams a path into the knockout stage. Five teams have already secured third-place qualification: Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia, Paraguay, and Senegal.

Three spots remain open, with Iran, Croatia, South Korea, Algeria, Scotland, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo still in contention. If teams finish level on points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker, followed by goals scored.

The current third-place table has Sweden and Ecuador on 4 points, Bosnia and Paraguay also on 4, Senegal on 3, Iran on 3, Croatia on 3 with one game in hand, South Korea on 3, Algeria on 3 with one game in hand, Scotland on 3, Uruguay already eliminated on 2, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 1 with one game in hand.