The 2026 World Cup format with 48 teams has already proven its unpredictability: the USA were eliminated after a 2–3 defeat to Turkey, while Ecuador beat Germany 2–1 to snatch a place in the round of 16. Tonight and tomorrow night, Groups I, H, and G take center stage — with no spots yet definitively decided. Three parallel storylines, six matches, and a best third-place ranking that will determine the fate of several more national teams.
How the 48-Team Format Works at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is the first in history to feature 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance automatically to the round of 16, joined by the eight best third-placed teams from all twelve groups. This "line of eight" turns every third-round match into a double game: teams are fighting not only for their group position but also for their standing in the overall third-place rankings.
12 Groups and Qualification Rules: Three Key Groups Tonight
Group I: Norway vs France (10:00 PM Kyiv time)
The hottest match of the evening is a head-to-head clash between two teams running neck and neck. Heading into the third round, both sides have 6 points: France beat Senegal 3–1 and Iraq 3–0, while Norway defeated Iraq 4–1 and Senegal 3–2. Simultaneously, Senegal face Iraq: both teams have 0 points, and even a win may not be enough to advance as a third-place side — their goal difference is simply too poor.
Group H: Uruguay vs Spain (3:00 AM Kyiv time, June 27)
Spain lead the group with 4 points after thrashing Saudi Arabia 4–0 in the second round. Uruguay and Cape Verde share second and third place with 2 points each — Uruguay's 2–2 draw with Cape Verde in round two left the Celeste in a precarious position. Saudi Arabia have 1 point and face Cape Verde. Spain are virtually guaranteed to advance even from third place; everyone else needs a win.
Group G: Egypt vs Iran and New Zealand vs Belgium (6:00 AM Kyiv time, June 27)
Egypt lead with 4 points, Iran and Belgium have 2 each, and New Zealand have 1. Belgium drew 0–0 with Iran in the second round — a tactically cautious match that settled nothing. Now the Red Devils need nothing less than a win over New Zealand to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Scenarios
- Norway beat France: Norway win Group I, France finish second. Both advance to the round of 16, but the draw for the last-16 bracket shifts significantly: the Group I winners avoid the second-placed team from Group E (Ivory Coast or Ecuador) and instead face a third-placed qualifier.
- Norway vs France ends in a draw: Both teams finish on 7 points. Positions will be decided by goal difference: Norway have scored 7 and conceded 3 (+4); France have scored 6 and conceded 2 (+4). If goal difference is level, goals scored comes next. Most likely, France finish second based on more goals in the head-to-head or FIFA ranking.
- Uruguay lose to Spain, Cape Verde beat Saudi Arabia: Cape Verde finish second in Group H — one of the tournament's biggest surprises. Uruguay drop to third place with 2 points and enter the best third-place rankings, where competition is already fierce.
Best Third-Place Rankings: Who Is Already in Contention
With the 48-team, 12-group format, the ranking of the eight best third-placed teams is a tournament subplot in its own right. Once all groups have completed their third round (by the early hours of June 28), all 12 third-place finishers will be known. The selection criteria are: points → goal difference → goals scored → disciplinary record → FIFA ranking. Teams finishing third with 4 points — such as a potential Uruguay or Belgium — have a realistic chance of making the top eight, but only if their goal difference is competitive.
From the Group Stage to the Final: How Many Matches
A team that advances from the group stage still has six matches to play before the final: the round of 16, round of 8, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final on July 19 at 10:00 PM Kyiv time in East Rutherford. For comparison, at previous World Cups with 32 teams, the winner played five knockout matches. The extra round — the round of 16 — significantly increases the workload and raises the stakes of every injury and suspension.
Tonight, watch to see whether Haaland's Norway can stop Deschamps' machine — a match level on points and level on ambition. Tomorrow night brings the conclusion in Groups H and G, where Uruguay and Belgium are playing for survival. The best third-place rankings will only be finalized after the final whistles in Groups J, K, and L — by the morning of June 28 Kyiv time.
Photo: OBOZ.UA · Editorial (source)
