What each team needs to qualify for the round of 16

• The World Cup is already getting intense in Qatar as the group-stage fixtures come close to an end. 
• Qatar and Canada have already been knocked out despite having one game to go. 
• Half of the 32 teams will be returning home in the next few days for failing to qualify for the round of 16. 

Things are getting intense in Qatar as we head to the World Cup round of 16. So far, France is the only side which has progressed.

Teams like Qatar and Canada have already been knocked out of the tournament despite having one more game.

On the contrary, other nations like Netherlands and Spain need just a draw to proceed to the tournament’s knockout stages.

World Cup trophy. Photo/ Sporting News.

Half of the 32 teams will be returning home in the next few days for failing to qualify for the round of 16. And at this point is where you’ll notice no team came to this World Cup tournament for the sake of having fun. 

Here, we will discuss what each team needs to proceed to the round of 16 of this World Cup tournament. 

Group A 

Group A has Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar. Netherlands and Ecuador are tied at the top of the group with four points each. 

Senegal are third in the standings with three points after securing a victory over Qatar. The hosts, who are last in their group, are the first team to be knocked out after losing their first two fixtures. 

Netherlands will face Qatar, while Ecuador will face Senegal in the group’s last fixtures. Netherlands need to win or secure a draw in their match against Qatar so as to proceed to the World Cup round of 16. 

Senegal and Ecuador are in a tough spot because the team that wins will go to the knockout stages. If the match ends with a draw, Ecuador will proceed. Senegal can only proceed after a draw if Qatar beats Netherlands. 

Group B 

Group B has Wales, England, Iran and the United States. England are on top of the group with four points, Iran second with three points, the United States come third with two points, and Wales are fourth with just one point. 

All the teams in this group have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. England will go through to the round of 16 unless they suffer a 4-0 loss to Wales, who are their next opponents. 

Iran, who will be facing USA, needs a draw to go to the World Cup round of 16 unless Wales defeat England by a four-goal margin. USA have no option but to beat Iran so as to progress. 

Group C 

Group C has Mexico, Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia. Poland are on top of the group with four points, but we can’t say they are safe because all the teams in this group can proceed to the knockout stages. 

Poland needs a draw with Argentina so as to progress, though a win would be awesome. On the other hand, Argentina must win the match because a draw could see them exit the tournament on goal difference. 

For Mexico to proceed, they have to beat Saudi Arabia and have Poland beat Argentina. Saudi Arabia just need a win to go to the next round. 

If Saudi Arabia draws with Mexico, they can only proceed if Argentina defeat Poland or Poland defeat Argentina by a huge goal margin. 

Group D 

This group contains defending champions France, who have already booked a place in the round of 16. 

The other members, Australia, Denmark and Tunisia, have to fight for the second position, which Australia currently holds. 

The winner between Denmark and Australia will proceed. Tunisia must beat France by a minimum of two goals and hope Australia and Denmark draw so as to proceed. 

Group E 

Group E contains former world champions (Germany and Spain), Japan and Costa Rica. Spain are on top of the group with four points and are closely followed by Japan and Costa Rica, who have three points each.

Germany are in danger of elimination as they sit bottom with just one point.

Jamal Musiala of Germany against Spain players. Photo/ TSN.

Spain need a draw against Japan to progress. If Japan defeats Spain, they will proceed to the World Cup round of 16. But if the match ends with a draw, Japan will only proceed if Germany and Costa Rica also draw. 

Costa Rica must beat Germany so as to progress. On the other hand, Germany need to beat Costa Rica and have Spain beat Japan so as to progress. 

Group F 

Group F has Morocco, Belgium, Canada and Croatia. Canada have already been knocked out, but the other teams still have a chance of progressing. 

Croatia, who will be facing Belgium, need just a draw to proceed to the round of 16. Belgium need to win the match so as to proceed. 

Morocco will book a place in the knockout stages if they secure a draw with Canada. 

Group G And H

All the teams in Group G and H have only played one match, which means they all have a chance of progressing.