Scotland and Iran miss out on World Cup knockout stages as third-placed rankings conclude

Scotland have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 3-0 defeat by Brazil proved decisive in the third-placed ranking table. The Scots finished Group C with three points and a goal difference of minus three, leaving them 11th among the third-placed sides – two places short of the eight that advance to the round of 32. Iran also missed out, despite finishing Group G unbeaten with three draws and a goal difference of zero. Their hopes were dashed when Austria salvaged a dramatic late draw against Algeria, pushing Iran to ninth in the third-place standings. The expanded 48-team tournament allowed the eight best third-placed finishers to join the 12 group winners and 12 runners-up in the knockout phase. Teams were ranked by points, then goal difference, goals scored, team conduct score, and Fifa ranking. Scotland and Iran were among several big nations to fall short, alongside Uruguay, who ended 12th with two points. The round of 32 begins on Sunday with South Africa facing Canada in Los Angeles. The tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will see the US host all matches from the quarter-finals onwards, with the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.