For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.
That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.
To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.
Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.
World Cup third-place standings
Here are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.
Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.
How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?
Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:
If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.
Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.
The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).
Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.
For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.
That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.
To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.
Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.
World Cup third-place standings
Here are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.
Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.
How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?
Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:
If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.
Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.
The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).
Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.
Starting with the size of the field.
For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.
That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.
To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.
Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.
World Cup third-place standings
Here are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.
Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.
How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?
Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:
If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.
Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.
The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).
Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.
The 2026 World Cup could see history, given the presence of Kylian Mbappe. In the history of this event, no player has ever won the Golden Boot twice. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe could become the first player to achieve that feat, if he were to win again this year.
Mbappe’s brace against Senegal got his campaign for a second Golden Boot off to a strong start, but Lionel Messi’s hat trick against Algeria put the Argentina legend atop the list after his opening match.
Here are the current standings in the chase for the Golden Boot. You will note that assists and minutes played are listed, as those are the two tiebreakers in determining the winner of the Golden Boot. In the case of ties, the player with the most assists is ranked ahead.
Should there still be a tie, the player with the fewest minutes played is ranked ahead.
The 2026 World Cup could see history, given the presence of Kylian Mbappe. In the history of this event, no player has ever won the Golden Boot twice. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe could become the first player to achieve that feat, if he were to win again this year.
Mbappe’s brace against Senegal got his campaign for a second Golden Boot off to a strong start, but Lionel Messi’s hat trick against Algeria put the Argentina legend atop the list after his opening match.
Here are the current standings in the chase for the Golden Boot. You will note that assists and minutes played are listed, as those are the two tiebreakers in determining the winner of the Golden Boot. In the case of ties, the player with the most assists is ranked ahead.
Should there still be a tie, the player with the fewest minutes played is ranked ahead.
Note: Table last updated Thursday, June 18:
#World #Cup #Golden #Boot #goals #standings">2026 World Cup Golden Boot: Most goals, standings
We are almost a week into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that means it is the perfect time to start looking at one of the big stories from this tournament every four years.
The chase for the Golden Boot.
The 2026 World Cup could see history, given the presence of Kylian Mbappe. In the history of this event, no player has ever won the Golden Boot twice. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe could become the first player to achieve that feat, if he were to win again this year.
Mbappe’s brace against Senegal got his campaign for a second Golden Boot off to a strong start, but Lionel Messi’s hat trick against Algeria put the Argentina legend atop the list after his opening match.
Here are the current standings in the chase for the Golden Boot. You will note that assists and minutes played are listed, as those are the two tiebreakers in determining the winner of the Golden Boot. In the case of ties, the player with the most assists is ranked ahead.
Should there still be a tie, the player with the fewest minutes played is ranked ahead.
Note: Table last updated Thursday, June 18:
#World #Cup #Golden #Boot #goals #standings
We are almost a week into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that means it…
“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.
“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”
“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.
On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”
Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”
According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.
Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:
“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.
“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”
“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.
On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”
Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”
According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.
Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:
#Christian #Pulisic #injury #updates #UMSNT #star #daytoday #Australia #World #Cup #match">Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star ‘day-to-day’ for Australia World Cup match
The United States got off to a tremendous start at the 2026 World Cup, with a dominant performance against Paraguay in a 4-1 win on Friday. The team was dynamic, creative, and delivered perhaps its best performance yet at a World Cup.
However, there is concern about the status of star forward Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic was replaced at halftime against Paraguay, after he was kicked in the left calf, reaggravating a training injury he picked up in the days before the World Cup. Following the match, Pulisic downplayed the injury.
“I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic told Fox Sports. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.
“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”
The next USMNT match is against Australia on Friday, but there are expectations around the team that Pulisic will be available.
“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.
“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”
“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.
On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”
Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”
According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.
Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:
Messi put Argentina up 1-0 on Algeria in the World Cup opener for both countries in the 16th minute of the match. The superstar took the ball down the center of the pitch and unleashed a rocket in the back of the net as only he can. Watch Messi’s breathtaking goal here:
Right in the top corner! How does Messi do it?
Watch an alternate angle here:
Messi hasn’t been deterred by old age or spending his golden years playing in the MLS. He can still be as incredible as any player when he’s at his best, and this goal proves it.
It’s such a joy to be able to experience Messi’s greatness even this late into his career. He really might be the GOAT, and he continues to prove it on the world’s biggest stage.
Update: Messi added two more goals for his first ever hat trick in the World Cup.
Messi put Argentina up 1-0 on Algeria in the World Cup opener for both countries in the 16th minute of the match. The superstar took the ball down the center of the pitch and unleashed a rocket in the back of the net as only he can. Watch Messi’s breathtaking goal here:
Right in the top corner! How does Messi do it?
Watch an alternate angle here:
Messi hasn’t been deterred by old age or spending his golden years playing in the MLS. He can still be as incredible as any player when he’s at his best, and this goal proves it.
It’s such a joy to be able to experience Messi’s greatness even this late into his career. He really might be the GOAT, and he continues to prove it on the world’s biggest stage.
Update: Messi added two more goals for his first ever hat trick in the World Cup.
Here’s his second goal:
We’ll never see another Leo Messi.
#Messis #World #Cup #hat #trick #included #spectacular #goal #tournament">Messi’s World Cup hat trick is included most spectacular goal of 2026 tournament so far
Messi is back at the 2026 World Cup on the brink is his 39th birthday later in June. Somehow, he’s still as great as ever.
Messi put Argentina up 1-0 on Algeria in the World Cup opener for both countries in the 16th minute of the match. The superstar took the ball down the center of the pitch and unleashed a rocket in the back of the net as only he can. Watch Messi’s breathtaking goal here:
Right in the top corner! How does Messi do it?
Watch an alternate angle here:
Messi hasn’t been deterred by old age or spending his golden years playing in the MLS. He can still be as incredible as any player when he’s at his best, and this goal proves it.
It’s such a joy to be able to experience Messi’s greatness even this late into his career. He really might be the GOAT, and he continues to prove it on the world’s biggest stage.
Update: Messi added two more goals for his first ever hat trick in the World Cup.
The living legend scored a hat trick against Algeria as Argentina began its defense of the 2022 World Cup win, and with his third goal, he pulled level with Miroslav Klose atop the list of all-time goal scorers in World Cup history with 16.
Messi looked to open his 2026 World Cup account in the early minutes against Algeria, but the goal was waved off by the officials for offside.
Messi launched a left-footed rocket from outside the box, putting Argentina on the board in the 17th minute.
Here is another look at the first goal:
Then in the 60th minute, Messi was the man on the spot, as he slotted home this rebound:
Algeria keeper Luca Zidane — yes, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane — stopped an initial attempt from Alexis Mac Allister, but Messi slotted home the loose ball to stake Argentina to a 2-0 lead, and score his second goal of the game.
Here is another look at Messi’s second goal against Algeria:
Messi had a chance at the hat trick a few minutes later, but Zidane managed to turn this shot aside:
But Zidane would not stop this attempt, as the legend secured his hat trick:
The third goal came off the left foot of Messi, as he gathered in a pass from Nico González, settled the ball at his feet, and then launched a rocket by Zidane for his third of the night, and the 16th World Cup of his incredible career.
Argentina secured a 3-0 win, thanks to Messi’s hat trick, and both player and team are off to a roaring start at the 2026 World Cup.
The living legend scored a hat trick against Algeria as Argentina began its defense of the 2022 World Cup win, and with his third goal, he pulled level with Miroslav Klose atop the list of all-time goal scorers in World Cup history with 16.
Messi looked to open his 2026 World Cup account in the early minutes against Algeria, but the goal was waved off by the officials for offside.
Messi launched a left-footed rocket from outside the box, putting Argentina on the board in the 17th minute.
Here is another look at the first goal:
Then in the 60th minute, Messi was the man on the spot, as he slotted home this rebound:
Algeria keeper Luca Zidane — yes, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane — stopped an initial attempt from Alexis Mac Allister, but Messi slotted home the loose ball to stake Argentina to a 2-0 lead, and score his second goal of the game.
Here is another look at Messi’s second goal against Algeria:
Messi had a chance at the hat trick a few minutes later, but Zidane managed to turn this shot aside:
But Zidane would not stop this attempt, as the legend secured his hat trick:
The third goal came off the left foot of Messi, as he gathered in a pass from Nico González, settled the ball at his feet, and then launched a rocket by Zidane for his third of the night, and the 16th World Cup of his incredible career.
Argentina secured a 3-0 win, thanks to Messi’s hat trick, and both player and team are off to a roaring start at the 2026 World Cup.
#Lionel #Messis #hat #trick #Algeria #ties #Miroslav #Klose #alltime #World #Cup #goals">Lionel Messi’s hat trick against Algeria ties Miroslav Klose for all-time World Cup goals
Lionel Messi’s first match at the 2026 World Cup was one for the record books.
The living legend scored a hat trick against Algeria as Argentina began its defense of the 2022 World Cup win, and with his third goal, he pulled level with Miroslav Klose atop the list of all-time goal scorers in World Cup history with 16.
Messi looked to open his 2026 World Cup account in the early minutes against Algeria, but the goal was waved off by the officials for offside.
Messi launched a left-footed rocket from outside the box, putting Argentina on the board in the 17th minute.
Here is another look at the first goal:
Then in the 60th minute, Messi was the man on the spot, as he slotted home this rebound:
Algeria keeper Luca Zidane — yes, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane — stopped an initial attempt from Alexis Mac Allister, but Messi slotted home the loose ball to stake Argentina to a 2-0 lead, and score his second goal of the game.
Here is another look at Messi’s second goal against Algeria:
Messi had a chance at the hat trick a few minutes later, but Zidane managed to turn this shot aside:
But Zidane would not stop this attempt, as the legend secured his hat trick:
The third goal came off the left foot of Messi, as he gathered in a pass from Nico González, settled the ball at his feet, and then launched a rocket by Zidane for his third of the night, and the 16th World Cup of his incredible career.
Argentina secured a 3-0 win, thanks to Messi’s hat trick, and both player and team are off to a roaring start at the 2026 World Cup.
#World #Cup #goal #NetherlandsJapan #thriller">World Cup 2026: Every goal from the Netherlands-Japan thriller
If Sunday’s World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan felt more like a quarterfinals tilt to you, and not the opening match of group play for both sides, you were not alone. In the most recent installment of the FIFA World Rankings, the Netherlands checked in at No. 8 in the world, while Japan clocked in at No. 18.
Yet there the two side were on Sunday in the House that Jerry built, squaring off to begin their respective journeys at the 2026 World Cup in Group F.
The match ended level, with both sides scoring twice. But merely describing this game as a 2-2 draw does not do it justice.
Here is every goal from the thriller between Japan and the Netherlands.
Virgil van Dijk opens the scoring
The first half ended with the score knotted at zero, as both sides created chances but could not find the finishing touch.
Then, in the 51st minute, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk headed home the opening goal of the match, and his first World Cup goal for Netherlands:
The header came on the end of a brilliant ball into the box off the right foot of Ryan Gravenberch:
The goal gave the Netherlands an early lead, but things were just getting started.
Keito Nakamura equalizes for Japan
The Dutch fans were still in full voice in celebration of Van Dijk’s goal, when Kieto Nakamura pulled Japan level with this right-footed strike from just outside the box:
Here is another look at the equalizer from behind Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen:
Nakamura’s goal came in the 57th minute, tying the match at 1-1.
Crysencio Summerville opens his international account
If there is ever a perfect time to score your first international goal, it comes at the World Cup.
That is exactly what Crysencio Summerville did just a few minutes later.
As the match reached the 64th minute, the forward was on the end of a pass from Gravenberch, cut inside and then unleashed a dazzling strike with his left foot, just past a diving Zion Suzuki:
Here is another look at the brilliant strike from Summerville:
Once again, the Dutch were back on top.
Daichi Kamada equalizes in the closing seconds
The match remained at 2-1 into the closing minutes, but there was one more twist to this tale.
Japan had a corner in the 88th minute, and Junya Ito sent a perfect corner into the box, which first found the head of Koki Ogawa before deflecting by Verbruggen off the head of Daichi Kamada:
Right place, right time for Kamada. Here is that goal from every possible angle:
While the Netherlands tried to find one more goal in stoppage time, that effort came up short, and this incredible match ended as it began, with the two sides level.
Up next for these two teams? The Netherlands will take on Sweden on Saturday, June 20, while Japan will square off with Tunisia.
#World #Cup #goal #NetherlandsJapan #thriller
If Sunday’s World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan felt more like a quarterfinals…
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