2026 World Cup: How many points does Morocco still need to advance to the knockout rounds?

Morocco’s Atlas Lions beat Scotland 1-0 on Saturday at Boston Stadium in their second Group C match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing three points

The national team is now second in Group C with four points, level with Brazil, who top the group after a 3-0 win over Haiti.

The result moves Morocco closer to the knockout stage, with attention now turning to how many points will be needed to reach the round of 32.

What does Morocco need to reach to the next round?

Morocco need just one point to book their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds without depending on other results.

A draw against Haiti would take them to five points and secure qualification.

A win against Haiti would move them to seven points and send them through to the next round with ease.

Even a defeat could still see them go through if Brazil beat Scotland, leaving Brazil on seven points, Morocco on four, and Scotland on three.

How does FIFA decide group rankings at the 2026 World Cup?

With 48 teams taking part for the first time, FIFA has introduced new tiebreaker rules to decide the top two in each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams.

Head-to-head results are now used as the main tiebreaker, replacing goal difference as the first deciding factor when teams finish level on points.

The goal is to make the system fairer by prioritizing results between the teams involved, rather than being influenced by big wins against weaker opponents.

The basic rule is that each team earns three points for a win and one for a draw. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed sides.

If teams finish level on points, rankings are first decided by head-to-head results, meaning the points, goal difference, and goals scored in the matches played between the teams concerned.

If no decision can be made through this procedure, the criteria are applied to the two or more teams still equal on points.

The ranking is then decided by superior goal difference in all group matches, followed by the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score relating to yellow and red cards received by players and team officials.

If no decision can be made through the procedures of step one and two, the teams still level on points are ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA World Ranking.