Five countries have now been officially knocked out of this year’s World Cup ahead of the final round of group-stage fixtures, with two sides having their early departures from the competition confirmed overnight. Tunisia, Turkey, and Haiti had already been eliminated after losing both of their opening group stage matches, and they have now been joined by Panama and World Cup debutants Jordan, who also suffered defeats in their first two outings.
Losses to Austria and Algeria proved enough to send Jordan packing, while Panama’s exit was also rubber-stamped ahead of their final group stage clash with England in New Jersey on Saturday, having been edged out by both Ghana and Croatia. Their eliminations, however, have left some supporters baffled, given that the axed sides remain capable of winning their last group-stage matches and finishing level on points with rival teams in their respective groups.
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams this year, eight of the 12 third-placed sides will advance alongside the top two from each group into the knockout rounds for the very first time.
This has led many to assume the fate of numerous teams would hinge on the final round of group fixtures.
Yet new regulations introduced by FIFA have changed matters considerably this year.
Whereas in previous tournaments, goal difference served as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points, the deciding factor is now head-to-head results.
Even if Jordan were to pull off a major World Cup shock by defeating reigning champions Argentina on Sunday, they are now unable to climb off the foot of the Group J table.
Austria and Algeria both currently sit on three points, and while Jordan could match that tally, having already suffered defeats against both sides, they are destined to remain in fourth place.
Panama, meanwhile, could engineer a remarkable upset by overcoming England this weekend, though it would not be enough to spare them an early exit.
With Croatia currently occupying third place on three points, and Ghana and the Three Lions sitting at the top of the table on four points, Panama are also unable to finish any higher than fourth in Group L, having already fallen to defeats against both Croatia and Ghana.
The final round of group stage fixtures gets underway on Wednesday, with Switzerland facing Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina taking on Qatar in Group B.
In Group C, meanwhile, Morocco lock horns with Haiti, while Scotland face five-time world champions Brazil in a battle for a place in the knockout stages.