World Cup: Predicting All Eight Best-Placed Third-Place Teams | OneFootball

This year's World Cup is the biggest ever edition of the tournament, with 48 teams competing, instead of the usual 32. As a result, a newly created Round of 32 stage will immediately follow the group stage, with the top two teams in each quartet progressing, as well as eight of the 12 third-place teams. 

The format has been used in the European Championships ever since 2016, where one of the lower teams actually went on to win the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal didn't win a single group stage game that year, drawing all three and finishing in third place in Group F behind Hungary and Iceland, squeezing through to the knockout rounds as the third of four best placed third-place teams. They would win just one of their knockout round games inside 90 minutes, but still shockingly won the tournament by defeating hosts France after an extra-time strike from unheralded striker Eder. 

So, which teams are likely to be given a second lease of life this summer, ten years on from Portugal being given their second chance and ultimately going all the way? The following eight teams are among the strongest candidates to progress to the World Cup Round of 32 as third-place finishers.

Paraguay

Online betting sites make Group D the toughest to predict. The latest World Cup soccer odds make the co-hosting United States a narrow 7/5 favorite to top the quartet, closely followed by Turkiye at 7/4. Those two will likely finish as the top two in Group A, with Paraguay likely finishing third, ahead of Australia. 

Four points will almost certainly be enough to secure a spot as one of the best-placed third teams, with even three being enough in some cases. If the Paraguayans can beat Australia, they will need just a point against either the US or the Turks to progress. Even if they don't manage that, simply avoiding a lopsided defeat against both should be enough for a round of 32 berth. With a solid enough side containing names such as Miguel Almiron and Antonio Sanabria, they should be able to manage four points and progress. 

Czech Republic

Group A is another tight one. Mexico is currently considered the favorite to top the pile, and considering the fact that all three of their games will take place on home turf in front of tens of thousands of Mexicans, it would take a brave punter to bet against them. South Korea, the Czech Republic, and South Africa will then be left to fight it out for the remaining two spots in the round of 32. 

We can see Son Heung-Min and his Taeguk Warriors progressing as group runners-up, with Czechia beating South Africa into third. They are unlikely to suffer a heavy defeat against either Mexico or the Koreans, and could quite easily get a point from one of them to progress. Star striker Patrick Schick has proven before that he's a reliable goalscorer in major tournaments, and he will score the goals that see the Czechs through. 

Bosnia

Group B features another co-host in the form of Canada, and they will likely progress as runners-up to Switzerland, who proved at Euro 2024 two years ago that they are a team capable of going toe to toe with the very best. That leaves Bosnia and Qatar as the two remaining teams in the group, with the latter of that duo one of the weakest sides in the tournament. If Eden Dzeko and Co. — a team that just beat Italy to reach the World Cup — can handily see off the Qataris and score a couple of goals in the process, they should have done enough to seal their spot as one of the best-ranked third-place teams. 

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast have a tough test in Group E alongside Germany and South American dark horses Ecuador. Both of those two should have enough about them to lock out the top two spots, while the Ivory Coast should beat debutants Curaçao quite comfortably. If they do that and avoid heavy defeats against the top two, they too will progress. 

Sweden

Sweden had the most unconventional route of all the teams headed to North America this summer. They didn't win a single one of their qualifiers but progressed to the playoffs thanks to their stellar performances in the Nations League. In the playoffs, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres put his nation on his back, netting four goals across two games, including a last-minute winner against Poland to punch his side's ticket to the tournament. 

They too are in a tight group alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. We can see their poor form from qualifying returning, with defeats against the Dutch and the Blue Samurai leaving third place the best they can manage. Still, a handy victory against Tunisia should see them through. 

Senegal

The toughest group at the tournament is without question Group I, with France, Norway, and Senegal all very capable of claiming a spot in the top two. Despite the Lions of Teranga's stellar recent displays at AFCON, we can see the two European outfits claiming the top two spots in the group. Still, Senegal should rack up a wide victory over the fourth team in the group, Iran, and that will see them through to the last 32. 

Algeria

Algeria have just beaten the Netherlands in Rotterdam, ensuring that confidence is at an all-time high. With Riyad Mahrez in the line-up, anything is possible. However, Argentina will be too much of an obstacle for them to overcome, while Austria will also prove to be a tough opponent. Debutants Jordan will not, however, and a comfortable victory over them will see Algeria through. 

Ghana

Ghana are another in a tough group alongside European heavyweights England and Croatia. They will back themselves to get a point against the Croats, and if they do that, then a win against Panama will certainly see them through to the round of 32. A spot in the top two, however, might be too much to ask.