by 1. Highest score from three group matches (each team receives three points for a win and one for a draw).
2. Goal difference in all group matches.
3. Goals scored in all group matches.
What if two or more teams are still tied afterwards? We go to:
1. Highest points scored in the group matches between the teams concerned.
2. Goal difference from the group matches between the teams concerned.
3. Goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned.
4. Higher score in terms of fair play behavior (yellow card = minus 1; indirect red card as a result of a second yellow card = minus 3, direct red card = minus 4, yellow card and direct red card = minus-5, where only one of penalties applied to a player in a single game).
And if for some reason there is still a tie?
A draw will then be held by the FIFA Organizing Committee.
Here are the standings for each group and the scenarios for the groups that completed two games. An x- denotes a team that has made promotion. A y- denotes a team that took first place in a group. A z-denotes a team that has been disqualified from progressing.
Group A rankings and scenarios
Netherlands: The group favorites would advance to the knockout stages on Tuesday with a win or draw against Qatar. If both the Netherlands and Ecuador win their final game, the Group A winner would be determined by tiebreaks, starting on goal difference, where they are currently tied. If both games are tied on Tuesday, the tiebreak would start with goals scored.
Ecuador: Like the Netherlands, a win or draw will secure a place for Ecuador in Tuesday’s knockout rounds when Ecuador meet Senegal.
Senegal: The African champions would advance to the knockout rounds with a win over Ecuador. It would be eliminated at a loss. With a draw against Ecuador, Senegal would need an unlikely Qatar win over the Netherlands to stand a chance. Senegal could still win the group with a win over Ecuador and a draw or loss for the Netherlands against Qatar.
Qatar: The host country cannot advance to the knockout stages.
Group B rankings and scenarios
England: The group favorites would progress to the knockout rounds with a win or draw against Wales on Tuesday. England could still go through with a loss to Wales depending on the score and other results. England would win the group with a win, or with a draw and a tie between Iran and the United States, among other options. It’s even possible for England to win the group by defeat, depending on other results.
Iran: Iran would advance to the knockout stages with a win against the United States on Tuesday, or a draw against the United States and England win or draw against Wales. Iran would win the group with a win and loss by England or a draw with Wales. Iran would be eliminated with a loss to the United States.
United States: The Americans would advance to the knockout rounds with a win over Iran on Tuesday. They would be eliminated with a loss or a draw against Iran. They could still win the group with a win over Iran, although that would likely require England to lose to Wales.
Wales: Wales are eliminated with a loss or a draw against England. To have a realistic shot, the Welsh must beat England and end the game between Iran and the United States in a draw.
Group C rankings and scenarios
Group D Ranking and Scenarios
Group E ranking and scenarios
Group F rankings and scenarios
Group G rankings and scenarios
Group H rankings and scenarios
