World Cup 2022: Knockout-round scenarios for each team ahead of final group games

·College football and motorsports writer

Updated December 2, 2022 at 12:17 p.m.·4 min read

Christian Pulisic of the United States runs with the ball during the World Cup group B soccer match between England and The United States, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor , Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Wondering how each team can advance to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup? You've come to the right place.

With just one more day of the second round of group stage games to go, it's becoming clearer and clearer who has realistic chances of making it to the Round of 16. So far, France, Brazil and Portugal are the only teams that have clinched advancement to the next round while Qatar and Canada have been eliminated after their first two games. That leaves 27 teams fighting for the remaining 13 knockout round spots over the final four days of group play.

Here's what you need to know heading into the last set of group stage games on Tuesday.

Group A

1. Netherlands, 7 points (+4 goal difference)

2. Senegal, 6 points (+2)

3. Ecuador, 4 points (+1)

4. Qatar, 0 points (-6)

Tuesday’s games

Netherlands 2, Qatar 0
Senegal 2, Ecuador 1

The Netherlands will face the second-place team in Group B on Saturday in the Round of 16. Senegal will face Senegal.

Group B

1. England, 7 points (+7 goal difference)

2. United States, 5 points (+1)

3. Iran, 3 points (-3)

4. Wales, 1 point (-5)

Tuesday’s games

England 3, Wales 0
United States 1, Iran 0

England will face Senegal at 2 p.m. ET and the United States will play the Netherlands at 10 a.m. ET. Both games are on Fox.

Group C

1. Argentina, 6 points (+3 goal difference)

2. Poland, 4 points (0)

3. Mexico, 4 points (-1)

4. Saudi Arabia, 3 points (-2)

Wednesday’s games

Argentina 2, Poland 0
Mexico 2, Saudi Arabia 1

Argentina sealed the group win with its victory over Poland while the Poles had to sweat out the final minutes. At one point, Poland was only advancing to the second round because it had fewer yellow cards than Mexico. But a very late consolation goal for Saudi Arabia put Poland ahead on goal difference.

Group D

1. France, 6 points (+3 goal difference)

2. Australia, 6 points (-1)

3. Tunisia, 4 point (0)

4. Denmark, 1 point (-2)

Wednesday’s games

Tunisia 1, France 0
Australia 1, France 0

Tunisia did what it needed to do to have a chance to advance but Australia's win over France means the Socceroos are through to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006.

Group E

1. Japan, 6 points (+1 goal difference)

2. Spain, 4 points (+6)

3. Germany, 4 points (+1)

4. Costa Rica, 3 points (-8)

Thursday’s games

Japan 2, Spain 1
Germany 4, Costa Rica 2

Japan's win meant Spain got into the Round of 16 via goal difference over Germany and eliminated the Germans in the group stage for the second straight World Cup. Japan will take on Croatia in the Round of 16 while Spain plays Morocco.

Group F

1. Morocco, 7 points (+3 goal difference)

2. Croatia, 5 points (+3)

3. Belgium, 4 points (-1)

4. Canada, 0 points (-5)

Thursday’s games

Croatia 0, Belgium 0
Morocco 2, Canada 1

Morocco won the group with its win over Canada while Croatia controlled the game against Belgium and seemed very content for the tie. Morocco will play Spain while Croatia gets Japan.

Group G

1. Brazil, 6 points (+2 goal difference)

2. Switzerland, 6 points (+1)

3. Cameroon, 4 points (0)

4. Serbia, 1 point (-3)

Friday’s games

Cameroon 1, Brazil 0
Switzerland 3, Serbia 2

Cameroon got a late goal from Vincent Aboubakar but it wasn't enough because Switzerland beat Serbia. Had Cameroon scored again, Switzerland could have won the group via goals scored. Instead, the Swiss get Portugal while Brazil will play South Korea.

Group H

1. Portugal, 6 points (+2 goal differential)

2. South Korea, 4 points (0)

3. Uruguay, 4 points (0)

4. Ghana, 3 points (-2)