How does qualification from the group phase work?
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance,to the Round of 32. They will be joined by eight of the 12 teams who finish third in the groups.
Within each group, if two of more teams end up level on points the new Fifa tiebreaker criteria will apply. The new method separates teams based on the following order: head-to-head points; head-to-head goal difference; head-to-head goals scored; overall goal difference; overall goals scored; team conduct score (disciplinary record); Fifa world ranking.
However, with only four teams in each group here, it’s likely any tiebreaker situations will only involve two teams. That means head-to-head results, and failing that, overall goal difference will be enough to decide who takes the higher spot.
Much a Prince Adu about nothing: The Arsenalification of England, Ghana hold firm and Ronaldo the goatHow will the third-place ranking work?
The 12 third-place teams will be ranked to determine which eight will go on to the Round of 32.
These teams will be ranked on the basis of their points haul from their three group games, goal difference, goals scored, conduct and Fifa ranking.
Who have qualified at this stage?
First & second-place finishers: Mexico & South Africa (Group A), Switzerland & Canada (Group B), Brazil & Morocco (Group C), USA & Australia (Group D), Germany & Ivory Coast (Group E), Netherlands & Japan (Group F), France & Norway (Group I), Argentina (Group J), Colombia (Group K).
Confirmed third-place finishers: Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B), Ecuador (Group E), Sweden (Group F).
They’ll be joined by the first and second-placed teams from the groups that are yet to be decided and five more top-ranked third-place finishers.
And who will be going home at the end of the group stages?
Fourth-place finishers: Czech Republic (Group A), Qatar (Group B), Haiti (Group C), Turkey (Group D), Curaçao (Group E), Jordan (Group J), Panama (Group L).
They’ll be joined by the remaining fourth-place finishers and the four lowest ranked third-place finishers who are yet to be confirmed.
Current group standings
Group A – Completed
Mexico, 9 points (qualified)
South Africa, 4 points (qualified)
South Korea, 3 points
Czech Republic, 1 point (eliminated)
Group B – Completed
Switzerland, 7 points (qualified)
Canada, 4 points (qualified)
Bosnia & Herzegovina, 4 points (qualified)
Qatar, 1 point (eliminated)
Group C – Completed
Brazil, 7 points (qualified)
Morocco, 7 points (qualified)
Scotland, 3 points
Haiti, 0 points (eliminated)
Group D – Completed
USA, 6 points (qualified)
Australia, 4 points (qualified)
Paraguay, 4 points
Turkey, 3 points (eliminated)
Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer celebrate Germany’s 2-1 over Ivory Coast, which secured their passage to the last 32. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Group E – Completed
Germany, 6 points (qualified)
Ivory Coast, 6 points (qualified)
Ecuador, 4 point (qualified)
Curaçao, 1 point (eliminated)
Group F – Completed
Netherlands, 7 points (qualified)
Japan, 5 points (qualified)
Sweden, 4 points (qualified)
Tunisia, 0 points (eliminated)
Mohamed Salah and Egypt need a win or draw against Iran to be sure of progressing in the World Cup. Photograph: Bib Frid/EPA
Group G – Ongoing
Egypt, 4 points
Iran, 2 points
Belgium, 2 points
New Zealand, 1 point
Fixtures remaining: New Zealand v Belgium, Egypt v Iran (Saturday, 4am)
A win or a draw against Iran will guarantee Egypt a spot in the next round, whereas only a win will do for Iran to advance.
A win against New Zealand would also make certain a place in the Round of 32 for Belgium, while the Kiwis need to beat Belgium and for Iran to lose or draw to Egypt in order to have a chance of qualifying as a third-place finisher.
Group H – Ongoing
Spain, 4 points
Uruguay, 2 points
Cape Verde, 2 points
Saudi Arabia, 1 point
Fixtures remaining: Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia, Uruguay v Spain (Saturday, 1am)
Spain just need to avoid defeat against Uruguay and they’re through. A defeat would put them third if Cape Verde also beat Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay can guarantee a last-32 place with a win, while a draw would leave them with a slim chance of a third-place qualifying spot.
Cape Verde progress if they beat Saudi Arabia, while a draw would put them in the third-place race. Saudi Arabia need to beat Cape Verde to have at least a third-place route, such a win would put them in second place if Uruguay failed to beat Spain.
All smiles for Kylian Mbappé, who has helped confirm France’s progress to the last 32 of the World Cup already. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Group I – Ongoing
France, 6 points (qualified)
Norway, 6 points (qualified)
Senegal, 0 points
Iraq, 0 points
Fixtures remaining: Norway v France, Senegal v Iraq (Friday, 8pm)
Senegal and Iraq face each other both knowing they must win to stand any chance of progressing as one as a third-place team, but even at that, the odds would be against them squeezing into the top eight.
Group J – Ongoing
Argentina, 6 points (qualified)
Austria, 3 points
Algeria, 3 points
Jordan, 0 points (eliminated)
Fixtures remaining: Jordan v Argentina, Algeria v Austria (Sunday, 3am)
A win for either Austria or Algeria when they meet would earn the victor automatic qualification alongside Argentina, while a draw would see the tiebreaker criteria implemented, Austria currently with the advantage in terms of overall goal difference.
If there’s a loser in that game, the defeated side are unlike to reach the Round of 32 but a draw could be enough for them.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal would advance as group winners if they beat Colombia. Photograph: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
Group K – Ongoing
Colombia, 6 points (qualified)
Portugal, 4 points
DR Congo, 1 point
Uzbekistan, 0 points
Fixtures remaining: Colombia v Portugal, DR Congo v Uzbekistan (Sunday, 12.30am)
Portugal will automatically progress if they avoid losing to already-qualified Colombia. A defeat could still see them finish second, and a third-place finish is the worst-case scenario.
DR Congo need to beat Uzbekistan to have any chance at staying in the tournament, while even a win for their opponents is unlikely to be enough to get them to the knockout stages. A draw will help neither.
Group L – Ongoing
England, 4 points
Ghana, 4 points
Croatia, 3 points
Panama, 0 points (eliminated)
Fixtures remaining: Panama v England, Croatia v Ghana (Saturday, 10pm)
England are through if they win or draw again Panama, as is the case for Ghana against Croatia.
Croatia can qualify with a win over Ghana and would still be in with a third-place shout if they managed a draw. – The Guardian