World Cup 2018: Qualification scenarios for each of the eight groups

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is heading to the more exciting phase with teams having finished two matches each in the first round of the tournament. This World Cup has seen quite a few surprises and it would have upset all the calculations that the experts had made for the games.

Teams like Argentina which was considered as one of the favourites to win the tournament is on the brink of elimination and the hosts Russia which wasn't expected to win even a single match has already qualified for the Round of 16.

Germany, Brazil, France and Spain which were considered as the favourites before the tournament didn't begin their World Cup campaign in the way they would have ideally liked to. Except for Belgium, all top teams have struggled and this has made the competition even more interesting.

The World Cup has been a roller-coaster ride for a number of sides and all these teams would be trying to out different permutations and combinations to find a way as to how they can qualify for the Round of 16. Let's have a look at the qualification scenarios for all the groups.

Group A

Group A qualifiers have already been decided as both Russia and Uruguay have won both their matches and have already confirmed their place in the Round of 16.

The final leg of group matches will be played to determine as to who will top the group. Toppers of the group will have an advantage that they will face the second placed team of group B.

Russia can top the group with just a draw in its final game against Uruguay while Uruguay will have to win its final match to finish at the top of the group. Uruguay being the better-ranked team would look to win the match and go unbeaten into the Round of 16.

Uruguay will consider the match against Russia extremely important as it would prefer to avoid a Round of 16 clash with Spain and it can do that only by winning the final game

Group B

In Group B there are still three teams which are in contention. Iran, Portugal and Spain will all be entering the final leg of matches with a genuine chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 matches.

Spain has won and drawn one match each and they require just a draw from their final game against Morocco to assure its place in the Round of 16. To be assured of the top position in the group Spain will have to win the match with a goal difference greater than Portugal.

Portugal can assure its place in the round of 16 with a draw in its final group game against Iran. Portugal will have to score win with a greater goal difference than what Spain do in their final game to finish at the top of the group.

Iran will have a mountain to climb in its final match as it will have to defeat Portugal in the third game. Iran can even top the group if Spain only manages a draw or if it looses to Morocco.

Group C

In Group C one team has already qualified for the next round while two teams are still in the hunt for a spot in the Round of 16. France has won both their matches and has already qualified for the Round of 16.

Denmark and Australia are the teams in contention for the next round. Denmark has won a game and drawn the other and is in the second place in the group as of now with 4 points. It requires a draw to qualify to the next round and a win against France will help Denmark to top the group.

Australia requires a number of things to go in its favour to qualify for the Round of 16. It requires to win the final match against Peru and will have to hope France defeat Denmark in their final game. The goal difference too would come into play after the results go in their favour and Australia will have to win by a margin of two goals or more to have any chance to qualify.

Group D

Group D is another group where one team has stood way ahead of the rest. While before the tournament most would have expected it to be Argentina but it has been Croatia who has led the way and has already secured its qualification to the next round.

This is one of the most open groups in the competition and all the remaining three teams are in contention for the second spot in the group. Nigeria is currently placed second in the group and in the final game against Argentina it requires a victory to have one leg on the Round of 16 spot.

Iceland can qualify for the next round if it manages to beat Croatia by a goal difference of 3 goals in its final game and Nigeria draws its final game or it would also qualify if Nigeria loses to Argentina by a goal difference which is not more than the goal difference with what Iceland win.

If Nigeria loses its final game to Argentina by a margin of two goals and Iceland lose its final match then Argentina will qualify for the next round. If Iceland manages to win its final game then Argentina will have to win its final game by a goal difference of two more than the goal difference with which Iceland win.

Group E

Group E is an exciting group as no team has been assured of a place in the Final 16. Three teams are in contention for the two spots to qualify for the next round with Costa Rica having been already knocked out of the tournament.

Brazil can qualify to the next round if it manages to win or draw the final match of the group stage. Even if it loses the next match it can qualify if Switzerland loses to Costa Rica. In order to top the group, Brazil will have to win its final match with a similar margin to what Switzerland win.

Switzerland can qualify to the next round if it wins the final match. It can qualify to the next round even if it loses or draws the final game if Serbia draws or loses its final game respectively.

Serbia will have to win its final game to qualify for the round of 16. It can qualify with a draw if Costa Rica defeats Switzerland by a margin of more than 3 goals.

Group F

In Group F all the four teams are in the reckoning for a spot in the Round of 16 matches technically but South Korea has all but knocked themselves out of the tournament after losing both their games.

Mexico has won both its games and is looking the favourites to top the group as of now. Mexico has its next match against Sweeden and the result of that match might go a long way in even deciding the fate of the entire tournament as a victory or even a draw in that match would guarantee Mexico's position as the Group topper and it might lead to a clash between Germany and Brazil as early as in the Round of 16 matches.

Germany looks the favourites to be the second team to qualify from the group. It can definitely qualify for the next round with a win by a margin of two or more goals but for the team to top the group it will have to depend on Sweeden to defeat Mexico.

Sweeden can definitely qualify for the next round if it defeats Mexico by a margin of two or more goals. It can qualify to the next round even with a draw if Germany loses to South Korea.

South Korea will have to look at a host of things going in its favour to secure a place in the Round of 16. South Korea will have to defeat Germany by a margin of two or more goals and will have to hope Mexico defeat Sweeden to be assured of qualification.

Group G

Group G's qualifiers have already been decided as both Belgium and England have secured their place in the next round with impressive wins in both their matches. Panama and Tunisia have been knocked out of the Tournament.

England and Belgium will lock horns in the final game of the group to determine who tops the group on Thursday. A top place finish would ensure a weaker opponent in the Round of 16 which will be a good luxury to have.

Group H

In Group H Poland has already been knocked out of the tournament and the other three teams are still in contention. Japan, Senegal and Colombia are still in the reckoning for a spot in the Round of 16.

Japan will play its final group game against Poland and a draw would assure it of a spot in the Round of 16 matches. In order to top the group, Japan will have to win by a good margin and hope Senegal lose or draw or win by a margin lesser than what Japan wins.

Senegal has a qualifying scenario which is pretty similar to Japan as both of them have 4 points and have the same goal difference.

Colombia after its win against Poland has its fate in its own hands. A win will see it qualify to the next round while anything less than a win would make sure that it depends on Poland for some help. Colombia can qualify even with a draw provided Poland defeat Japan