DOHA, While France are the first team to progress to the Qatar 2022’s knockout stage, the hosts are already out following yesterday’s defeat from Senegal.
FIFA+ has worked out all the potential scenarios for every team in terms of qualifying and going out as follows before tonight’s much-awaited clash between Germany and Spain where a defeat for Germany may eliminate the 2014 champions:
Group A
Ecuador-Senegal (29 November, 17:00 UAE Time)
Netherlands-Qatar (29 November, 17:00 UAE Time)
Netherlands need to win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.
Ecuador need to win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to qualify if they lose and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Senegal need to win to qualify but remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Qatar are eliminated.
Group B
Wales-England (29 November, 23:00 UAE time)
Iran-USA (29 November, 23:00 UAE time)
England will qualify with a win or draw. Depending on goal difference, the Three Lions could also make it through in defeat.
Wales must win to have any chance of progressing.
Iran are guaranteed to progress if they beat USA.
A draw will also take the Iranians through provided Wales do not beat England (in which case goal difference will come into play).
For USA, it’s simple: win and they are through. Lose or draw and they will be heading home.
Group C
Saudi Arabia v Mexico (30 November, 23:00 UAE time)
Poland v Argentina (30 November, 23:00 UAE time)
Poland will be through with a win or a draw, but would be knocked out by a defeat coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory. If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia draw, the two teams will have to be separated by goal difference. If Poland lose and Mexico win, their fate will also be decided on goal difference.
Argentina must win to be sure of progressing, while a draw would be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw. However, a draw coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory would see La Albiceleste knocked out, and a draw coupled with a Mexico win takes the group to goal difference. Argentina are out if they lose.
Saudi Arabia will reach the Round of 16 if they win. A draw would be enough if Poland defeat Argentina, but if both matches are tied, they will go out. Should Argentina defeat Poland and Saudi Arabia draw, progress will be decided on goal difference between the European and Middle East sides. Defeat would see them knocked out.
Mexico must win to have any chance of staying in the competition. They will be sure to go through if Poland win. If they win and Argentina and Poland draw, it will come down to goal difference with Argentina. Should Argentina win, goal difference will be required to separate Mexico and Poland.
Group D
Tunisia-France (30 November, 17:00 UAE time)
Australia-Denmark (30 November, 17:00 UAE time)
France are already qualified and will top the group unless they lose to Tunisia and Australia beat Denmark, which would leave them tied on six points with the Socceroos.
Victory will see Australia qualify, while a draw would be enough unless Tunisia beat France, which would see the North African side go through on goal difference.
Denmark must win against Australia and, if they do so, will be certain to qualify unless Tunisia beat France, which would leave them tied on four points with the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia must beat France and hope Denmark avoid defeat by Australia to be in contention to qualify.
Group E
Spain-Germany (27 November, 23:00 UAE time)
Japan’s surprise loss today puts Costa Rica level on three points with Samurai and Spain, ahead of the day’s Spain v Germany game
Group F
Canada-Morocco (01 December, 19:00 UAE Time)
Croatia-Belgium (01 December, 19:00 UAE Time)
Following Morocco’s surprise win of today, Canada and Croatia will still harbor dreams of qualifying as group winners when they clash on Sunday.
The final day sets up two fascinating matches with upstarts Canada and Morocco facing off, as will European heavyweights Belgium and Croatia, with one of them possibly missing out on the Round of 16.
Group G
Cameroon-Serbia (28 November, 14:00 UAE local time)
Brazil-Switzerland (28 November, 20:00 UAE time)
A defeat would knock Serbia out if Brazil fail to win against Switzerland.
A win would Brazil see through if Cameroon fail to win against Serbia.
A defeat would knock Cameroon out if Switzerland fail to win against Brazil.
A win would see Switzerland through if Serbia fail to win against Cameroon.
Group H
Korea Republic-Ghana (28 November, 17:00 UAE time)
Portugal-Uruguay (28 November, 23:00 UAE time)
A win would see Portugal into the Round of 16.
A defeat would put Ghana out.
Uruguay and Korea Republic can neither qualify nor be eliminated on Matchday 2.
Source: Emirates News Agency