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The final day of the expanded group phase at the 2026 World Cup takes place on Sunday.
Of those in action, only reigning champions Argentina and their South American counterparts Colombia have made mathematically sure of their places in the Round of 32. Jordan and Panama have been eliminated following back-to-back defeats.
That means there are eight teams with their fate still up in the air, and some of those will land in the shake-up for a best-third-place qualification slot.
Along with the top two from each of the 12 four-team groups, the eight best third-place finishers will advance to the knockout stage.
Here's how the land lies for teams in Groups J, K and L.
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World Cup Group J standings and scenarios
| 1. Argentina - Q | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| 2. Austria | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 3. Algeria | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| 4. Jordan - E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | -3 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Austria and Algeria enter their final group game in Kansas City knowing a draw will ensure both teams progress. Austria would remain second on goal difference, while Algeria's haul of four points would almost certainly sit within the best eight third-place sides.
If there is a winner in the match, the third-place team will have three points and find themselves looking axiously over goal difference calculations.
Group J schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Tue, June 16 | Argentina 3, Algeria 0 | FINAL |
| Tue, June 16 | Austria 3, Jordan 1 | FINAL |
| Mon, June 22 | Argentina 2, Austria 0 | FINAL |
| Mon, June 22 | Algeria 2, Jordan 1 | FINAL |
| Sat, June 27 | Algeria vs. Austria | 10 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina | 10 p.m. |
World Cup Group K standings and scenarios
| 1. Colombia - Q | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| 2. Portugal | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| 3. DR Congo | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 4. Uzbekistan | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | -7 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Colombia are already through and playing for position in their final match against Portugal, who need a win to pinch top spot.
DR Congo are the favourites to finish third and there is a scenario where the African nation comes second, although this would require a big Congo win over Uzbekistan and a heavy Portugal defeat to Colombia, combining to a six-goal swing on goal difference.
Uzbekistan can still come third with a maiden World Cup win over DR Congo, but their minus-7 goal difference means a best-third-place spot would be very hard to achieve.
World Cup Group L standings and scenarios
| 1. England | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
| 2. Ghana | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| 3. Croatia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| 4. Panama - E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
England remain strong favourites to top the group despite their 0-0 draw with Ghana last timet out. Even in the case of an unlikely defeat to Panama, Thomas Tuchel's side are guaranateed a top-two spot
The Black Stars will finish second unless they lose to Croatia, who will in turn qualify. A draw would land Croatia in the best-third-place calculations.
Group L schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Wed, June 17 | England 4, Croatia 2 | FINAL |
| Wed, June 17 | Ghana 1, Panama 0 | FINAL |
| Tue, June 23 | England 0, Ghana 0 | 4 p.m. |
| Tue, June 23 | Croatia 1, Panama 0 | 7 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Panama vs. England | 5 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Croatia vs. Ghana | 5 p.m. |
World Cup third-place standings
The top eight advance to the Round of 32; the bottom four miss out.
Table updated after Group H games on Friday, June 26
| 1 | Ecuador - Q | E | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 23 |
| 2 | Sweden - Q | F | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 38 |
| 3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina - Q | B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 | 64 |
| 4 | Paraguay - Q | D | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 | 41 |
| 5 | Senegal - Q | I | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| 6 | Iran | G | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 |
| 7 | Croatia | L | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 34 |
| 8 | South Korea | A | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 | 31 |
| Qualification cut off (top 8 advance) | |||||||||
| 9 | Algeria | J | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 | 29 |
| 10 | Scotland | C | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 | 41 |
| 11 | Uruguay | H | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 16 |
| 12 | DR Congo | K | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 | 43 |
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