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As the group phase matches of the World Cup tournament hit the final bend, the likely teams that will qualify are taking shapes as many others will have to dip into the last matches to know their fates. France is the f irst team to progress, while Qatar and Canada have exited the tournament irrespective of their results from last matches.

TODAY Group A Ecuador v Senegal (4pm) Netherlands v Qatar (4pm)

Netherlands needs 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 is eliminated.

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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.

8&%/&4%": Group C 4BVEJ "SBCJB W .FYJDP QN 1PMBOE W "SHFOUJOB QN

Poland will be through with a win or a draw, but would be knocked out if they lost to Saudi Arabia. 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 and a Saudi Arabia victory would see La Albiceleste knocked out. Also, a draw coupled with a Mexico win takes the group to be decided by 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.

8&%/&4%": Group D Tunisia v France (4pm) Australia v Denmark (4pm)

France have 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.

THURSDAY Group E

Costa Rica v Germany (8pm) Japan v Spain (8pm) Spain will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win or a draw. Defeat to Japan will leave them relying on their currently superior goal difference to progress, unless Costa Rica beat Germany, in which case Luis Enrique’s side will be out.

Japan can go through with victory against Spain, while a draw, coupled with deadlock in the Costa Rica v Germany clash, will ensure they progress. They will go out if they are beaten by Spain, or if the match ends in a draw and Costa Rica triumph against Germany. Goal difference will be required to decide their fate if they draw and Germany are victorious.

Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by defeating Germany. A draw for Luis Fernando Suarez’s side would also guarantee a spot in the next phase if Spain overcome Japan, but if the current group leaders are beaten then goal difference comes into play. A draw in both games or a defeat for Costa Rica puts them out.

Germany must pick up three points to stay in contention. Victory over Costa Rica coupled with a win for Spain against Japan will see them qualify. A draw between Luis Enrique’s side and the Samurai Blue, or a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference. All other results would see Hansi Flick’s men out of the competition.

THURSDAY Group F Canada v Morocco (4pm) Croatia v Belgium (4pm)

Croatia will be through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing eliminated Canada to overcome Morocco, in which case goal difference would be required to separate Zlatko Dalic's side from the Atlas Lions.

Morocco will be through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing Belgium to overcome Croatia, in which case goal difference would be required to determine if they or the 2018 runners-up progress to the last 16.

Belgium will qualify for the Round of 16 with victory over Croatia. Defeat will see them knocked out. A draw will only be enough if Morocco are beaten by Canada, with goal difference then set to determine where Roberto Martinez’s side and Walid Regragui’s outfit finish in Group F.

Canada have been eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures.

*Group G and H to come after their second round matches

Tiebreaker Information

The second round of group matches here at Qatar 2022 World Cup are gradually coming to an end and, in some sections, the fight for spots in the knockout stage is simply too close to call.

So tight are a few of the groups, in fact, that many are already asking: what happens if two or more last-16 hopefuls finish level on points?

According to FIFA rules, if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:

r 45&1

(a) Greatest number of points

obtained in all group matches; (b)Superior goal difference in all

group matches; (c) Greatest number of goals scored

in all group matches.

r 45&1

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows: (d)Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; (e) Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned; (f) Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned; (g) Highest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained; (h)Drawing of lots by FIFA.