Expanded World Cup impacts tournament dynamics as teams await knockout outcomes
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 3:55 PM
Last updated Jun 28, 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues as several teams, including South Korea and Scotland, await results from final group matches to determine if they advance to the knockout stage. For the first time, third-place teams face uncertainty in qualification, creating a complex for coaches and fans alike. The tournament's 48-team format has led to dramatic moments, allowing teams like Ecuador and Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance despite finishing third in their groups. The final group stage games are set to conclude later today, concluding a critical phase of the tournament.
- •South Korea's chances hang in the balance pending final results.
- •Scotland's chances have diminished to less than 1% in recent days.
- •Ecuador and Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced as third-place teams.
- •Final group stage matches are ongoing, with outcomes critical for several nations.
- •Expansion to 48 teams has altered the qualification process significantly.
- 3:55 PMYahoo Sports — Expanded World Cup is proving more is more
"From mind-melting permutations to inspiring underdog stories, the impact of an expanded World Cup this year is unfolding in real time. But has bigger been better?
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