Each team will play their final group stage matches from Wednesday through Saturday, concluding 17 days straight of intense competiton between an all-time tournament high of 48 teams.Â
As the opening round comes to an end, tension is only rising as countries make their final push toward a spot in the knockout rounds, which are set to begin with a Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up head-to-head at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday.
Before then, there's still a full slate of group stage finales -- here’s a preview of this weekend's must-watch clashes as the largest-ever FIFA World Cup group stage field battles for qualification.
How it Works
By Saturday night, every team will have faced each of their group opponents once. Three points are awarded for a win and one for a draw.
The two teams with the most points in each group will advance to the Round of 32. The eight best third-placed side will also continue on to the knockouts.Â
TiebreakersÂ
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:
- greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
- superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
- greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
If no decision can be made through this procedure, the criteria below shall apply as follows to the two or more teams still equal on points:
- superior goal difference in all group matches
- greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
- highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
If no decision can be made through the procedures of step one and two above, the following shall apply:
- the two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s
Third place teams
The eight best teams among those ranked third will be determined as follows:
- greatest number of points obtained in all group matches
- goal difference resulting from all group matches
- greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
- highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches
- the two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking
Must-watch matches
June 24th | Haiti vs Morocco, Atlanta Stadium, 6:00 pm ET
Philadelphia Stadium hosted one of the most electric atmospheres of the group stage as Brazil earned a 3-0 victory over Haiti in Group C action. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before VinÃcius Júnior added two first-half goals to secure the result for Seleção.Â
Despite the loss, Haiti continued to battle throughout the match, with Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques delivering another hardworking performance.Â
Haiti will conclude its World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 24 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Atlanta Stadium.
June 24th | South Africa vs Korea Republic, Estadio Monterrey, 9:00 pm ET
South Africa earned a crucial 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta Stadium, overcoming an early sixth-minute goal from Michal SadÃlek with a second-half penalty conversion from Teboho Mokoena, his first goal of the tournament.Â
 With Korea Republic falling 1-0 to Mexico later that day, Bafana Bafana is still incontention for a spot in the Round of 32 -- they could move into second place in Group A depending on their result against South Korea, and the outcome of Czechia’s final match against Mexico.Â
South Africa will close out group-stage play against Korea Republic on June 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET in Estadio Monterrey, with a potential knockout-round berth on the line. The match marks another chance Philadelphia Union center back Olwethu Makhanya to make his World Cup debut for South Africa.Â
June 25th | Côte d'Ivoire vs Curaçao, Philadelphia Stadium, 6:00 pm ET
Ivory Coast fell just short in a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Germany at Toronto Stadium. After Franck Kessié gave Les Éléphants an early lead, Germany responded with second-half goals from Deniz Undav and Felix Nmecha to secure the comeback victory.Â
Despite the setback, Ivory Coast remains in a strong position in Group E and can clinch a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Curaçao on June 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Philadelphia Stadium.
June 25th | United States vs Türkiye, Los Angeles Stadium, 10:00 pm ET
The United States secured a 2-0 victory over Australia at Seattle Field, thanks to an early own goal by Cameron Burgess and a first-half header from Alex Freeman. The win clinched a spot in the Round of 32 for the Stars and Stripes with one group-stage match remaining and marked the team's first clean sheet in ten matches.Â
The U.S. will close out Group D against Türkiye on June 25 at 10:00 p.m. ET, while Australia faces Paraguay in a crucial match for second place in the group.
June 27th | Ghana vs Croatia, Philadelphia Stadium, 5:00 pm ET
Croatia beat Panama 1-0 Tuesday night thanks to a second half goal from substitute Ante Budimir, putting Vatreni at third in Group L.Â
Finishing in Boston with a 0-0 draw, Ghana secured a point placing them second in the group under England.Â
Croatia will take on Ghana in their final group stage dual on Sunday, June 27th at 5:00 p.m. ET in Philadelphia Stadium. This match could hinder Croatia from keeping their top-two finishing seat. Ghana may have the potential to steal first if England falls deeply to Panama.
As the Round of 32 comes into focus, and the stakes are raised in these group stage matches. As the birthplace of the nation, Philadelphia is set to host its final pair of group stage matches before welcoming a Round of 16 showdown on the United States' 250th birthday. Stay tuned for recaps of these exciting upcoming duels across the continent!
