1. Most points from three group matches (each team gets 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 after that? We are going to:
1. Highest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams involved.
2. Goal difference of the group matches between the teams involved.
3. Goals scored in the group matches between the teams involved.
4. Higher number of points obtained in relation to fair play behavior (yellow cards = 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 = minus-5, where only one of the deductions is applied to a player in a single game).
And if by some whim there is still a tie?
Thereafter, a draw will take place by the FIFA Organizing Committee.
Here are the standings for each group and the scenarios for the groups that played two matches. An x- indicates a team that has made progress. A y- indicates a team that took first place in a group. A z-indicates a team that has been eliminated to continue.
Group A positions and scenarios
The Netherlands: The group favorite would advance to the knockout phase with a win or draw against Qatar on Tuesday. If both the Netherlands and Ecuador win their last match, the winner of Group A will be determined by tiebreaks, starting with goal difference, where they are currently tied. If both games are tied on Tuesday, the tiebreak would start with goals scored.
Ecuador: Just like the Netherlands, Ecuador is assured of a place in the knockout round with a win or a draw on Tuesday, when Ecuador takes on Senegal.
Senegal: Africa’s champions would advance to the knockout round with a win over Ecuador. It would be eliminated with a loss. With a draw against Ecuador, Senegal would need an unlikely win by Qatar over the Netherlands to have a chance. Senegal could still win the group with a win over Ecuador and a draw or loss of the Netherlands against Qatar.
Qatar: The host country cannot advance to the knockout round.
Group B positions and scenarios
England: The group favorite would advance to the knockout round with a win or draw against Wales on Tuesday. England can still move up if they lose to Wales, depending on the position and other results. England would win the group with a win, among other things, or with a draw and an Iran-USA tie. It is even possible that England will win the group with a loss, depending on other results.
Iran: Iran would advance to the knockout round with a win over the United States on Tuesday, or a draw with the United States and a win over England or a draw with Wales. Iran would win the group with a win and a loss to England or a draw against Wales. Iran would be eliminated with a loss to the United States.
United States: The Americans would advance to the knockout round with a victory over Iran on Tuesday. They would be eliminated if they lose or draw against Iran. They could still win the group with a win over Iran, although it would probably require an England loss to Wales.
Wales: Wales will be eliminated if they lose or draw against England. To have a realistic shot, the Welsh need to beat England and let the game between Iran and the United States end in a draw.
Group C positions and scenarios
Group D positions and scenarios
Group E modes and scenarios
Group F modes and scenarios
Group G modes and scenarios
Group H modes and scenarios
