Format expansion changes: The FIFA World Cup has expanded this summer to feature a record-breaking 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four.
With the top two from each group advancing, eight additional spots are required to complete the new Round of 32.
Third-place lifeline: Finishing third in your group no longer means automatic elimination from the tournament.
The eight teams with the best records among the twelve third-place finishers will also advance to the knockout stages.
Group tiebreakers explained: If teams tie on points within their group, FIFA has updated the rules so that head-to-head results are now the primary separator.
