The final round of group stage games will lack the drama of 2022, with a strange decision to revamp the tie-breaking rules likely to produce a number of dead rubbers

FIFA's decision to use head-to-head records to separate teams in World Cup groups could have unforeseen consequences

The World Cup has reached that stage when mental gymnastics come into play to determine who’s in, who’s out and what’s needed to advance to the next round

The World Cup has reached that stage when mental gymnastics come into play to determine who’s in, who’s out and what’s needed to advance to the next round.

There could be drama and controversy during the final round of group matches.

FIFA's new head-to-head tiebreakers and third-place rules for the 2026 World Cup create information asymmetry and strategic issues in final group stage

The final round of group stage games will lack the drama of 2022, with a strange decision to revamp the tie-breaking rules likely to produce a number of dead rubbers

It's just classic Fifa - trying to fix something that wasn't broken

In past years, finishing third meant elimination. But the expanded World Cup means many more sides have a chance to make the knockout stages. Here is how they decide who…