DOHA, 27th November, 2022 (WAM) — While France are the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of Qatar 2022, the hosts are already knocked out after yesterday’s loss to Senegal.
FIFA+ has worked out all of the potential scenarios for each team in terms of qualifying and exiting as follows ahead of tonight’s long-awaited clash between Germany and Spain where a Germany defeat could eliminate the 2014 champions:
Group A
Ecuador-Senegal (November 29, 5:00 p.m. UAE time)
Netherlands-Qatar (November 29, 5:00 p.m. UAE time)
The Netherlands must win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.
Ecuador must win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to qualify if they lose and Qatar beat the Netherlands.
Senegal must win to qualify but remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat the Netherlands.
Qatar is eliminated.
Group B
Wales-England (November 29, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
Iran-USA (November 29, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
England will qualify with a win or a draw. Depending on goal difference, the Three Lions could also qualify for defeat.
Wales must win to have any chance of progressing.
Iran is guaranteed to progress if it beats the United States.
A draw will also allow the Iranians through provided Wales do not beat England (in which case goal difference will come into play).
For the USA, it’s simple: win and they qualify. Lose or draw and they go home.
Group C
Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (November 30, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
Poland vs. Argentina (November 30, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
Poland will go through a win or a draw, but will be eliminated by a loss coupled with a victory for Saudi Arabia. If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia draw, the two teams will have to be separated by goal difference. If Poland loses and Mexico wins, their fate will also be decided on goal difference.
Argentina must win to be sure of progress, while a draw would be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw. However, a draw coupled with a victory for Saudi Arabia would see La Albiceleste eliminated, and a draw coupled with a victory for Mexico would take the group on goal difference. Argentina is eliminated if it loses.
Saudi Arabia will reach the round of 16 if they win. A draw would be enough if Poland beat Argentina, but if the two matches are tied, they will be eliminated. If Argentina beat Poland and Saudi Arabia draw, progress will be decided on goal difference between the European and Middle Eastern teams. Defeat would see them eliminated.
Mexico must win to have any chance of remaining in the competition. They will be sure to pass if Poland wins. If they win and Argentina and Poland draw, it will depend on the goal difference with Argentina. If Argentina win, the goal difference will be needed to separate Mexico and Poland.
Group D
Tunisia-France (November 30, 5:00 p.m. UAE time)
Australia-Denmark (November 30, 5:00 p.m. UAE time)
France have already qualified and will top the group unless they lose to Tunisia and Australia beat Denmark, which would leave them level on six points with the Socceroos.
Victory will see Australia qualify, while a draw would suffice unless Tunisia beat France, which would see the North African side qualify on goal difference.
Denmark must win against Australia and, if they do, will be certain to qualify unless Tunisia beat France, which would leave them level on four points with the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia must beat France and hope Denmark avoid defeat to Australia to be in contention to qualify.
Group E
Spain-Germany (November 27, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
Japan’s surprise loss today puts Costa Rica level with Samurai and Spain ahead of today’s Spain-Germany game
Group F
Canada-Morocco (01 December, 7:00 p.m. UAE time)
Croatia-Belgium (01 December, 7:00 p.m. UAE time)
After Morocco’s surprise victory today, Canada and Croatia will still be dreaming of qualifying as group winners when they meet on Sunday.
The final day sets up two fascinating games with upstarts Canada and Morocco going head-to-head, as do European heavyweights Belgium and Croatia, one of them perhaps missing the round of 16. final.
Group G
Cameroon-Serbia (November 28, 2:00 p.m. UAE local time)
Brazil-Switzerland (November 28, 8:00 p.m. UAE time)
A defeat would stun Serbia if Brazil did not win against Switzerland.
A victory would be Brazil if Cameroon did not win against Serbia.
A defeat would stun Cameroon if Switzerland did not win against Brazil.
A victory would allow Switzerland to qualify if Serbia do not win against Cameroon.
Group H
Republic of Korea-Ghana (November 28, 5:00 p.m. UAE time)
Portugal-Uruguay (November 28, 11:00 p.m. UAE time)
A win would put Portugal in the round of 16.
A defeat would eliminate Ghana.
Uruguay and Korea Republic can neither qualify nor be eliminated on Matchday 2.