The 2022 FIFA World Cup’s group stage has entered its final matchday, as a lot is at stake for a lot of teams. This final matchday will tell who extends their stay in Qatar, and who goes packing home. A lot of upsets have already been witnessed, with Saudi Arabia shocking Argentina, Japan staging a comeback to gun down Germany, Morocco inflicting an embarrassing loss on second-best team in the world right now, Belgium.
However, its all to play for a number of participants to await their fate. The likes of Holland, Argentina, the USA, England, Germany, Belgium amongst others need maximum points in their penultimate group game, whereas France, Brazil and Portugal have already booked their place in the knockouts. On the other hand, hosts Qatar and Canada have already bowed out after losing their previous two games, but still could decide the matters of their respective groups in the final games. Here are all the permutations so as to which side needs what to go through to the Round of 16 with only 13 spots remaining.
2022 FIFA World Cup: The Group Stage Permutations
Group A
All Holland need is a win or draw in their game vs Qatar. A defeat too would take them to the knockouts, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.
A similar scenario for Ecuador, who need a win or draw against Senegal to make it to the knockouts. However, if they lose, they will need Qatar to beat the Netherlands, which obviously is too much to ask.
Senegal need nothing less than all three points against Ecuador to qualify for the next round. A draw would only help them if again, Qatar manage to beat the Netherlands.
Hosts Qatar are eliminated, but their result against the Netherlands will determine how the others fare.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Holland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Senegal | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Qatar | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
Group B
A draw or win in their final group game against neighbours Wales will do it for England, whereas their significant goal difference can take them through as well if they lose.
Anything less than all three points against England will send Wales home.
Iran did a spectacular job beating Wales, and now require a win or a draw, only if Wales beat England, to qualify for the knockouts.
The USA face a simple calculation. A win is their only way through to the knockouts, whereas a draw or a defeat sends them packing.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Iran | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 3 |
| 3 | The USA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Wales | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 1 |
Group C
Poland need a win or a draw in their game against Argentina. However, a defeat, accompanied by a Saudi Arabia win over Mexico will send them home. But a defeat coupled with a Saudi draw, or a Mexico win will need the goal difference to play its role.
Argentina too need a win to go through, whereas a draw coupled with another stalemate between Mexico and Saudi Arabia will do it for them. However, a draw against Poland, and either of Mexico or Saudi managing to win all three points will send the two-time winners home.
Saudi Arabia need to win to progress, if the other game between Poland and Argentina is drawn. A defeat would send them home. A double draw in this group will also see them knocked out.
Mexico’s last hope is to win and pray Poland beats Argentina. A Mexico win coupled with a draw between Poland and Argentina will go to the goal difference.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Poland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
Group D
France have booked their berth with two wins from two games.
A win for Australia will take them through, whereas a draw would be enough as well, unless Tunisia pull-off a win against France.
Likewise, Denmark too need to win their penultimate game which is against Australia to qualify for the knockouts, but also need France to avoid a defeat against Tunisia.
Tunisia need to down France, and hope Australia fail to beat Denmark to be in contention for the knockouts.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| 2 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 3 | Denmark | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
Group E
Current table toppers Spain need a win or a draw in their last group game. However, a defeat will leave them dependant on the goal difference to go through to the next round.
Japan need a win against Spain in their last game, whereas a draw, coupled with a stalemate between Costa Rica and Germany will send them through as well. However, a defeat or a draw will send them home if Costa Rica cause the Germans another upset.
Costa Rica can go through with a win over Germany, while a draw coupled with Japan’s defeat will also do. A defeat however ends their journey in the group stage itself.
Germany need to win at all costs, and hope Spain beat Japan. All other results would send the four-time champions home.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Spain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| 2 | Japan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -6 | 3 |
| 4 | Germany | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
Group F
A draw or win for the runners-up from last edition Croatia would take them through. However, a defeat against Belgium will need already eliminated Canada to do them favour by defeating Morocco.
Morocco can cap off a brilliant group stage campaign by reaching the next round, if they win or draw against Canada. A defeat for the Africans will need Belgium to beat Croatia if they are to qualify.
Belgium can go through with a win over Croatia. Another loss would end their campaign and a draw will only work if Canada beats Morocco.
Canada are eliminated from the group stage after two losses already.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Croatia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | Morocco | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Belgium | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Canada | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -4 | 0 |
Group G
Brazil are through to the Round of 16 with two wins from two games, and another win or draw against Cameroon will cement their place as table toppers.
Switzerland need to win against Serbia to go through. In case they draw their game, a Brazil win or draw against Cameroon will help them as well.
Serbia and Cameroon need wins in their respective games on the final matchday of the group stage.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Brazil | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -2 |
| 3 | Cameroon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Serbia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | -2 |
Group H
Portugal qualified to the knockouts with a win over Uruguay.
Ghana will go through if they down Uruguay and Portugal avoid a defeat against South Korea.
Anything less than a win for Uruguay and South Korea sends them home. Uruguay will qualify if they win their fixture and South Korea fail to win theirs against Portugal. A vice-versa situation for the Koreans.
| Position | Country | Played | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1 | Portugal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Ghana | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | South Korea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |