Final day of group fixtures as Groups J, K and L conclude
It is tight in Group L where England, Ghana and Croatia are all eyeing a top-two spot
Argentina and Colombia have already secured qualification from Groups J and K
The group stage of the concludes on Saturday, 27 June – Matchday 17 – with England and Portugal among the sides seeking to stamp their tickets to the knockout rounds.
The day’s action begins in Group L where each of , and still hold hope of winning the section and advancing to an Atlanta meeting with the third-placed team from Group E, H, I, J or K. England face an already eliminated team knowing that they are guaranteed top spot if they win and Ghana, who also have four points, fail to beat Croatia in the other fixture.
If they and Ghana were to both win, then goal difference would be the first deciding factor – and England are currently one goal better off in that respect. Where goal difference is equal, the next determining factor is overall goals scored, followed by FIFA Fair Play ranking and then FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. .
In Group K, there will be plenty of eyes on to see whether Roberto Martinez’s men can join their already qualified opponents, , in confirming their passage to the last 32. By avoiding defeat, Colombia will secure top spot while Portugal need victory to leapfrog them and advance as group winners – with the reward of a Kansas City date with the third-placed team from Group D, E, I, J or L.
Among the permutations, Portugal will progress as runners-up – and meet the Group L runners-up in Toronto – if they draw or even if they lose to Colombia and fail to beat . Another eventuality is that they lose to Colombia, Congo DR beat Uzbekistan, and Portugal still finish above Congo DR on overall goal difference or the other determining factors listed above.
As for Congo DR, their outside chance of finishing second hinges on them beating Uzbekistan, Portugal losing and then finishing above Cristiano Ronaldo and Co on overall goal difference or one of the other determinants. First and foremost, though, the Leopards need to avoid defeat to hold on to third place while Uzbekistan, after two defeats, need victory to escape guaranteed elimination.
Finally to Group J where, with already assured first place and their opponents already eliminated, it is the fixture between and that will hold the extra edge. Austria will retain second place and qualify from the group stage for the first time since 1982 if they avoid defeat against Algeria. Equally for the Desert Foxes, a victory will ensure they are the ones travelling to Los Angeles for a Round of 32 tie against the Group H winners. As for Argentina, with six points in the bag, Lionel Messi and Co are already looking forward to a Miami meeting with the Group H runners-up.
Saturday, 27 June | 17:00 | New York New Jersey Stadium
Saturday, 27 June | 17:00 | Philadelphia Stadium
Saturday, 27 June | 19:30 | Atlanta Stadium
Saturday, 27 June | 19:30 | Miami Stadium
Saturday, 27 June | 21:00 | Kansas City Stadium
Saturday, 27 June | 21:00 | Dallas Stadium
Sources: FIFA Official
