World Cup pathways and opponents for every third-place team in 2026 knockout bracket

World Cup pathways and opponents for every third-place team in 2026 knockout bracket originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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As the World Cup group stage winds down, the tournament heads into new territory with the inaugural round of 32 coming up next.

This year is the first year of the expanded World Cup, which means it’s the first year that third-place teams will play in the knockout stages. Of the 12 teams to finish in third place in their group, eight of them will get a chance to make an unexpected run starting in the round of 32.

While teams who finish first or second in their group immediately slot into a specific spot in the bracket, third-place teams can end up in one of several spots in the next round. It all depends on which groups will have three teams move on, and which teams will just see two teams in the knockout stage.

Here’s a look at the possible opponents for each third-place team in the knockout stage.

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World Cup pathways and opponents for every third-place team

Ecuador

Ecuador has clinched third place in its group and could be placed in any one of four different spots on the bracket. The team could face Mexico or Switzerland, two teams who have clinched the top spot in their group, along with likely first-place finishers Egypt or England, and an outside chance to play Ghana, Iran or Belgium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina already knows it will play the United States in the round of 32. Therefore, the team will face a tough task in a true road environment against a United States team hungry to take advantage of being a host.

If Bosnia and Herzegovina can pull off the upset, it will then be in line to potentially face Egypt in the round of 16. Eventually, though, the team could find itself facing Spain, Ghana or Austria, among others.

MORE: Download a printable World Cup bracket here

Sweden

Sweden clinching third place in Group F means it can be placed in one of three spots on the bracket. The Swedish team will either play France, Mexico or Switzerland in the round of 32 as it looks to produce a huge upset.

Paraguay

Paraguay secured a spot in the round of 32 with a draw against Australia on Thursday night, but the team still doesn’t know its opponent. In the next round, Paraguay can play either Germany or France, who are located in the same round of 16 pod, or the team could play the winner of Group K, which will be either Colombia or Portugal.

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