Are World Cup groups decided by goal difference or head-to-head?

Once the group stages are finished, it’s likely that some groups will see two teams level on points but what is important is how it is then decided which team will finish above the other in the final table. Here is what you need to know about how that is decided and whether it is by goal difference or head-to-head record:

If two teams finish on the same number of points in their group at the end of all three rounds of fixtures then the final placings are decided first by goal difference. This differs to competitions such as the UEFA Champions League where groups are decided first on head-to-head record between two sides. In that particular competition the rule is more plausible as sides face each other twice in the group stage rather than once like at the World Cup. Here is the order of the criteria for deciding the final league table positions in the World Cup groups:

1. Points obtained in all group matches
2. Goal difference in all group matches
3. Number of goals scored in all group matches
4. Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question
5. Goal difference in the matches played between the teams in question
6. Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question
7. Fair play points in all group matches
8. Drawing of lots

The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off on November 20 and the group stage matches will come to an end on Friday, December 2. The final round of group stage matches comes from Group G and Group H and are: Serbia vs Switzerland, Cameroon vs Brazil, Ghana vs Uruguay and South Korea vs Portugal.

There will be no break in play between the group stage and the first knockout round and the Last 16 fixtures will kick off on Saturday, December 3 with the winners of Group A facing the runners-up from Group B and then the winners of Group C facing the runners-up of Group D.

Here is the full list of dates for each round of fixtures at the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals: