World Cup state-of-play in all eight groups: Tables, fixtures, results, permutations

The final round of the World Cup group stage begins on Tuesday, with just 16 matches remaining until the knockouts get underway on December 3. 

Hosts Qatar last week became the first nation to be knocked out of the tournament, having fallen to back-to-back defeats against Senegal and Ecuador in Group A. 

Canada joined Qatar on Sunday, with their 4-1 defeat to Croatia ensuring an early exit in what is their first participation at a World Cup since 1986. 

Just 12 World Cup group matches remain, with the final round of fixtures starting on Tuesday 

Meanwhile, just three nations secured a place in the last-16 after two matches, being France, Brazil and Portugal, though Gareth Southgate’s England, the USA, Senegal and Holland have now all secured their places. 

On Wednesday, Australia sealed their last-16 spot at the expense of Tunisia and Denmark.  

Germany, Argentina and Belgium, three sides initially expected to go far in the tournament, are all at genuine risk of bowing out in the group stages. 

Sportsmail takes you through the state-of-play in all eight groups below. 

Group A: Holland, Ecuador, Senegal, Qatar

In Group A, it was a three-way shootout. Host nation Qatar were already eliminated – and they were joined by Ecuador in leaving the tournament at the first stage. 

Senegal produced a nervy 2-1 victory against the South Americans – the win sealed by Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly 20 minutes from time – to claim second spot.

Holland enter the final Group A clash knowing a point will see them progress to the knockouts

Senegal have reached the last-16 in Qatar after their 2-1 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday 

Meanwhile, Holland claimed top spot courtesy of a routine victory over the hosts, with Cody Gakpo grabbing his third goal of the tournament, and Frenkie de Jong also scoring.  

Louis van Gaal’s men will now face USA, runners up in Group B, while Senegal will face the group winners, England. 

Results and fixtures:

• Qatar 0-2 Ecuador, November 20
• Senegal 0-2 Holland, November 21
• Qatar 1-3 Senegal, November 25
• Holland 1-1 Ecuador, November 25
• Ecuador 1-2 Senegal, November 29
• Holland 2-0 Qatar, November 29

Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales

Group B went down to the wire, with all four teams still able to go through on the final day. England, sat in top spot, never looked like giving that position up with a comfortable routing of Wales. 

The Three Lions needed only a draw against Wales on Tuesday night to progress, but their 3-0 win guaranteed them top spot. 

It means they take on Africa Cup of Nations winner Senegal on Sunday. 

England and USA held their nerve in the final round of Group B fixtures to reach the last-16

Harry Kane is still looking for his first goal in Qatar as England wrapped up Group B top spot

The other spot in the group went down to the final seconds. 

USA had to win; there was no other option. They did just that thanks to a goal from Christian Pulisic, who had to go off injured having clattered into the Iran goalkeeper in scoring.

Iran pushed for an equaliser that would have put them through but late claims for a penalty were wide of the mark and USA dug in to seal a 1-0 win and a last-16 spot. 

Results and fixtures:

• England 6-2 Iran, November 21
• USA 1-1 Wales, November 21
• Wales 0-2 Iran, November 25
• England 0-0 USA, November 25
• Iran 0-1 USA, November 29
• Wales 0-3 England, November 29 

Group C: Poland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico 

Every team can still qualify – it’s all to play for! Mexico will qualify if they beat Saudi Arabia by a sizeable margin of four or more goals, or if they win (by any margin) and Poland win. A win by four goals or more could see them finish above Argentina, should Lionel Messi’s side draw. 

Group leaders Poland are in pole position to qualify and know a draw would see them through. They would even qualify on goal difference with a narrow loss if Saudi Arabia and Mexico draw. They will top the group with a win, and can do so with a draw if Saudi Arabia fail to win.

All four teams are still able to qualify in a highly entertaining Group C, with more magic from Lionel Messi potentially required for Argentina

PSG’s Messi proved to be the difference in Argentina’s crucial win over Mexico on Saturday

For Argentina, a win will guarantee qualification. A draw will be enough if Saudi Arabia also draw against Mexico, or if Mexico win by a margin of less than four goals. If they win, Saudi Arabia would need to thrash Mexico to overtake them into first.

Herve Renard’s Saudi side will progress with a win. If Poland and Argentina draw, three points would see them finish top too. A Saudi draw could be enough: they would need either a Poland win, or Argentina to win by four goals or more. 

Results and fixtures: 

• Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia, November 22
• Mexico 0-0 Poland, November 22
• Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia, November 26
• Argentina 2-0 Mexico, November 26
• Poland vs Argentina: 7pm GMT, Wednesday November 30 
• Saudi Arabia vs Mexico: 7pm GMT, Wednesday November 30

Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia

In Group D there were three teams in the fight to make it to the last-16 alongside France. Les Bleus put out a heavily changed team against Tunisia, who along with Denmark, needed a win to have any chance of advancing to the next round.

At one stage it looked like Tunisia might upset the odds and reach the knock-out phase after they took the lead against France.

However, it wasn’t long before Matthew Leckie put Australia in front.  

France finished top of their group from Australia despite a shocking 1-0 defeat to Tunisia

Australia beat Tunisia and Denmark to join France in the last-16 for the first time since 2006

Both Australia and Tunisia took famous 1-0 victories over their respective opponents but it was the Socceroos who finished second in the group, behind France on goal difference.  

It means Australia will play the winners of Group C at 7pm on Saturday, while France will play the team that finish second at 3pm on Sunday.  

Results and fixtures:

• Denmark 0-0 Tunisia, November 22
• France 4-1 Australia, November 22
• Tunisia 0-1 Australia, November 26
• France 2-1 Denmark, November 26
• Tunisia 1-0 France, November 30
• Australia 1-0 Denmark, November 30 

Group E: Spain, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany

Like Group C, all four sides can qualify from Group E. Spain will qualify if they avoid defeat against Japan, and even a loss will almost certainly be enough if Costa Rica fail to beat Germany. They will top the group if they win, and a draw will see them finish first if Costa Rica do not beat Germany.

If Japan win, they will qualify, and top the group unless Costa Rica overturn a six-goal deficit (which is highly unlikely). A draw will be enough if Costa Rica and Germany also draw, or if Germany win but can’t overturn a two-goal deficit.

Spain are in pole position to progress from Group E, while Germany are at risk of going out

Even three points for Germany might not be enough in their final game against Costa Rica

For Costa Rica, the equation is simple: win and they’re through. Draw, and they progress if Spain beat Japan. If Spain and Japan draw, a win will see them top the group. 

Germany must win to progress, and even three points may not be enough.  

A win will be enough for Germany if: Spain beat Japan, Spain lose and Die Mannschaft overturn an eight-goal deficit (highly unlikely), Germany win by two or more goals and Spain draw against Japan, or Spain draw against Japan and Japan score fewer goals than Germany.

Results and fixtures:

• Germany 1-2 Japan, November 23
• Spain 7-0 Costa Rica, November 23
• Japan 0-1 Costa Rica, November 27
• Spain 1-1 Germany, November 27
• Japan vs Spain: 7pm GMT, Thursday December 1
• Costa Rica vs Germany: 7pm GMT, Thursday December 1

Group F: Croatia, Morocco, Belgium, Canada

Belgium are at risk of elimination in a tight Group F. Croatia qualify if they avoid defeat against Roberto Martinez’ men and even a loss would be enough if Morocco lose by the same margin or more.

They will top the group if they match Morocco’s result or their winning margin.

Belgium are at genuine risk of elimination in Group F having won only one from two games

Tensions between the players spilled over following their shock 2-0 defeat to Morocco

Morocco also progress if they avoid defeat against already-eliminated Canada. A loss will be enough if Croatia beat Belgium, or if Croatia and Belgium draw and Morocco’s loss is by two goals or less. To top the group, they must better Croatia’s result or winning margin. 

For Belgium, it is likely they will need a win. Three points would see them qualify,  and top the group if Morocco do not win. A draw would only be enough if Morocco lose by three goals or more, although that seems unlikely.

Results and fixtures:

• Morocco 0-0 Croatia, November 23
• Belgium 1-0 Canada, November 23
• Croatia 4-1 Canada, November 27
• Belgium 0-2 Morocco, November 27
• Croatia vs Belgium: 3pm GMT, Thursday December 1
• Canada vs Morocco: 3pm GMT, Thursday December 1

Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Cameroon, Serbia

Brazil have safely made it to the knockouts as they bid for a first World Cup triumph for 20 years. They still need a point against Cameroon on Friday to confirm their spot as Group G winners, though even a defeat could well be enough. 

Currently in pole position to join Brazil are Switzerland in second. A win over Serbia on Friday will see them progress to the last 16. A draw could also be enough, assuming Cameroon don’t beat Brazil by two goals or more. 

Brazil are through to the knockouts but the second spot is still up for grabs in Group G

Neymar hopes to return for Brazil in the round of 16 after suffering an injury against Serbia

Cameroon have to beat Brazil to qualify. However, even then it’s not entirely straightforward. If Switzerland and Serbia draw, Cameroon would need to beat Brazil by two goals to qualify – or by one, assuming Switzerland don’t exceed their total of goals scored. 

Should Serbia beat Switzerland, however, Cameroon will need to ensure their goal difference – currently one better than Serbia – remains that way at least. If both Cameroon and Serbia win and end up on the same goal difference, Serbia will go through on goals scored. 

Finally, Serbia have to beat Switzerland to go through. They also need to better Cameroon’s result against Brazil, as stated above. 

Results and fixtures: 

• Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon, November 24
• Brazil 2-0 Serbia, November 24
• Cameroon 3-3 Serbia, November 28
• Brazil 1-0 Switzerland, November 28 
• Serbia vs Switzerland: 7pm GMT, December 2
• Cameroon vs Brazil: 7pm GMT, December 2 

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, South Korea, Uruguay 

Group H is another where all four teams can still progress to the knockouts with one game remaining, though we already know Portugal are safely through following their two wins over Uruguay and Ghana. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side can only be caught by Ghana in the race for top spot. Portugal would need to lose to South Korea, with Ghana beating Uruguay and overturning a three goal-deficit in terms of goal difference for that to happen. 

Portugal are through, but Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay are still battling for a last-16 spot

Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his side at the knockouts in what is likely to be his final World Cup

Ghana, meanwhile, need a victory to guarantee a spot in the knockouts. A draw could be enough, but only if South Korea don’t beat Portugal – and do so by two goals. 

South Korea need a win if they are to progress. If Ghana and Uruguay draw, they will need to win by two goals or more to leapfrog Ghana into second place. And if Uruguay win, they will need to ensure their goal difference remains better. If they end up with a shared goal difference, South Korea would progress on goals scored. 

As for Uruguay, again they can only progress with a win. They would have to hope South Korea don’t beat Portugal. And, as stated, if both sides win, Uruguay simply need to win by two goals more than South Korea. 

Results and fixtures:

• Uruguay 0-0 South Korea, November 24
• Portugal 3-2 Ghana, November 24
• South Korea 2-3 Ghana, November 28
• Portugal 2-0 Uruguay, November 28
• South Korea vs Portugal: 3pm GMT, December 2
• Ghana vs Uruguay: 3pm GMT, December 2