Overview
- Mexico became the first team to clinch a round-of-32 berth under the new format on Friday, June 19.
- A total of 36 teams will advance from the group stage to the round of 32: 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams determined first by points.
- Media outlets differ on the exact tiebreaker order used to rank third-placed teams, with one account listing goal difference then goals allowed and another listing goal difference then goals scored.
- Head-to-head results are now the first tiebreaker to set finishing order inside a group and fair-play points, which penalize red cards more heavily than yellows, can be used later in ties.
- The group stage ends on June 27 and knockout play begins June 28, a schedule that means results in the final round of group matches can displace earlier third-place finishers and decide which four third-placed teams go home.