Of the eight Liverpool players at the World Cup, two have already qualified for the last 32 while six are still to mathematically secure progression.
With the second round of group games now complete, each team has one match left before the knockout stages begin.
Two games remain in each group and they will both kick off at the same time, with the fixtures broadcast on separate UK television channels.
Two teams automatically go through from the 12 groups, along with the best eight third-place finishers.
A general view of the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. Picture date: Sunday December 18, 2022. Picture date: Sunday December 18, 2022.
To decide the groups and successful third-place sides, head-to-head is considered first, followed by the below tiebreakers:
• Goal difference
• Goals scored
• Disciplinary record
• FIFA world ranking
So, what does each of Liverpool’s players need to secure their place in the next round?
Germany – qualified top
Florian Wirtz (Image: Eibner-Pressefoto/Sascha Walther Credit: dpa/Alamy Live News)
Florian Wirtz‘s Germany have already secured top spot in their group thanks to wins over Curacao and the Ivory Coast.
Their 2-1 win over the latter means that the Ivory Coast, who are three points behind, cannot overtake Germany due to head-to-head being the first tiebreaker.
As a result, Wirtz may be rested for their last match against Ecuador, which takes place on Thursday at 9pm (BST).
World Cup 2026: Group E Standings
Team PTS GD GF
Germany 6 +7 9
Ivory Coast 3 0 2
Ecuador 1 -1 0
Curacao 1 -6 1
*After two games
Argentina – qualified
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Austria with teammates during the World Cup Group J soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Like Germany, Argentina’s first-place position in their group is secure by virtue of head-to-head.
The reigning champions have beaten Algeria and Austria so find themselves three points clear of the pair with just Jordan to play.
Lionel Messi has been the standout player, of course, but Alexis Mac Allister has quietly shown improvement on this season’s form, dictating the team’s tempo as a deep midfielder.
World Cup 2026: Group J Standings
Team PTS GD GF
Argentina 6 +5 5
Austria 3 0 3
Algeria 3 -2 2
Jordan 0 -3 2
*After two games
Netherlands – almost qualified
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
With their three Liverpool players, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, the Netherlands are very nearly through but not quite mathematically there.
They have four points and are above Japan on goal difference, having drawn 2-2 against them in their opening match, with Sweden one point behind.
For the Netherlands to be knocked down into third spot, they would have to lose to Tunisia and Sweden would have to beat Japan.
Even then, four points will almost certainly be enough to qualify in third place.
World Cup 2026: Group F Standings
Team PTS GD GF
Netherlands 4 +4 7
Japan 4 +4 6
Sweden 3 0 6
Tunisia 0 -8 1
*After two games
Sweden – in the balance
Sweden's Alexander Bernhardsson, Sweden's Benjamin Nygren (10) and Sweden's Alexander Isak (9) celebrate with Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres (17) after he scored to put Sweden up, 3-1, during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)
Alexander Isak is the Liverpool man in the most precarious position going into the final round of group games.
Sweden face a tough opponent in Japan on Thursday night, needing to beat them to secure a place in the top two.
However, a draw will almost certainly be enough to get them through as a third-place qualifier with four points.
If they lose, Sweden will finish with three points and a negative goal difference, leaving their fate in the hands of others.
World Cup 2026: 3rd Place Ranking
*Top eight qualify
# Team PTS GD GF
1 Sweden 3 0 6
2 Scotland 3 0 1
3 Croatia 3 -1 3
4 Algeria 3 -2 2
5 Paraguay 3 -2 2
6 Cape Verde 2 0 2
7 Belgium 2 0 1
8 Czech Republic 1 -1 2
9 DR Congo 1 -1 1
10 Ecuador 1 -1 0
11 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 -3 2
12 Senegal 0 -3 3
*After two games
Brazil – almost qualified
Brazil players react at the end of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Haiti in Philadelphia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Brazil are in a near-identical position to the Netherlands.
They, along with Morocco, have four points from their first two matches, having drawn the opener against each other.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side face a potentially tricky final match, though, as Scotland play them looking for at least a point in their quest for a qualifying third-place spot.
If Brazil were to be beaten and Morocco were to win against Haiti, then Alisson‘s team would likely be fine anyway given their total of four points.
World Cup 2026: Group C Standings
Team PTS GD GF
Brazil 4 +3 4
Morocco 4 +1 2
Scotland 3 0 1
Haiti 0 -4 0
*After two games
Spain – almost qualified
Victor Munoz of Spain during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt played at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Extra eyes will be on Spain now as Liverpool’s new signing, Victor Munoz, attempts to recover quickly to be fit for his national team.
The European Championship holders are top of Group H with four points, followed by Uruguay and Cape Verde with two each.
Spain face Uruguay in their final match and a point would probably be enough to secure top spot. For Spain to finish third, they would have to lose and Cape Verde would have to beat Saudi Arabia.
World Cup 2026: Group H Standings
Team PTS GD GF
Spain 4 +4 4
Uruguay 2 0 3
Cape Verde 2 0 2
Saudi Arabia 1 -4 1
*After two games
In terms of who teams may play in the round of 32, it is practically pointless predicting until all the games have been played.
With so much fluctuation due to the eight third-place sides who will qualify, the fixtures will change right up until the last final whistle.
However, if you do want to keep up with all the possible scenarios, BBC Sport have produced a tool to see what the current standings mean here.