2022 World Cup Group Stage Standings: Which Teams Advanced to Last 16
A World Cup that’s produced its fair share of upsets in the group stage produced more fireworks as groups cycle through their final matches.
On Tuesday, Senegal advanced with a 2–1 victory over Ecuador in which captain Kalidou Koulibaly scored the winner in the 70th minute, an immediate answer to a goal that would have dumped the Lions of Teranga out. In Group B, the U.S. hung on after Christian Pulisic’s first-half opener for a 1–0 win over Iran that sends the Americans back to the knockout stage.
A day later, Australia struck for a shock, edging Denmark to finish second in Group D behind France and secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2006 and the second time in its history. That only served as the appetizer for what happened in Group C, when Poland and Mexico nearly had their fate determined by yellow cards, only for Saudi Arabia to score late and give Poland the edge on goal differential, following first-place Argentina into the knockout stage.
Thursday brought more drama, as Belgium drew with Croatia to finish outside the knockout stage spots in Group F. The team that reached the semifinals four years ago finished behind Croatia and Morocco, who beat Canada 2–1 to win the group. Chaos continued in the afternoon, as Japan took a second-half lead over Spain as Germany went down 2–1 to Costa Rica. While Germany produced a late comeback to win 4–2, the Samurai Blue held on to win Group E and set up a knockout round date with Croatia, sending the Germans home before the last 16 for the second straight World Cup.
Group H’s finale went down to the wire to start Friday. With Uruguay on top of Ghana 2–0, South Korea needed a win over Portugal to draw level with La Celeste on points and goal differential, but into second place in the group on goals scored. In the 91st minute, Son Heung-min sent through Hwang Hee-chan, who slotted home an iconic winning goal to send South Korea into the last 16.
Keeping in mind that the top two teams from each group go through, here’s a look at all eight groups and how the remaining unsorted quartets could play out.
Group A
Qualified
Netherlands: 7 points, 5 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +4 goal differential
Will play the U.S. in the last 16.
Senegal: 6 points, 5 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, +1 goal differential
Will play England in the last 16.
Did not qualify
Ecuador: 4 points, 4 goals scored, 3 goal allowed, +1 goal differential
Qatar: 0 points, 1 goal scored, 7 goals allowed, -6 goal differential
Group B
Qualified
England: 7 points, 9 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, +7 goal differential
Will play Senegal in last 16.
U.S.: 5 points, 2 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +1 goal differential
Will play the Netherlands in last 16.
Did not qualify
Iran: 3 points, 4 goals scored, 7 goals allowed, -3 goal differential
Wales: 1 point, 1 goal scored, 6 goals allowed, -5 goal differential
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Group C
Qualified
Argentina: 6 points, 5 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, +3 goal differential
Will play Australia in last 16.
Poland: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, 0 goal differential
Will play France in last 16.
Did not qualify
Mexico: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 3 goals allowed, -1 goal differential
Saudi Arabia: 3 points, 3 goals scored, 5 goals allowed, -2 goal differential
Kylian Mbappe’s stellar group stage performance has defending champion France headed to the knockout stage.
Paul Zimmer/IMAGO
Group D
Qualified
France: 6 points, 6 goals scored, 3 goals allowed, +3 goal differential
Will play Poland in last 16.
Australia: 6 points, 3 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, -1 goal differential
Will play Argentina in last 16.
Did not qualify
Tunisia: 4 points, 1 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, 0 goal differential
Denmark: 1 point, 1 goal scored, 3 goals allowed, -2 goal differential
Group E
Qualified
Japan: 6 points, 4 goals scored, 3 goals allowed, +1 goal differential
Will play Croatia in last 16.
Spain: 4 points, 9 goals scored, 3 goals allowed, +6 goal differential
Will play Morocco in last 16.
Did not qualify
Germany: 4 points, 6 goals scored, 5 goals allowed, +1 goal differential
Costa Rica: 3 points, 3 goal scored, 11 goals allowed, -8 goal differential
Group F
Qualified
Morocco: 7 points, 4 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +3 goal differential
Will play Spain in last 16.
Croatia: 5 points, 4 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +3 goal differential
Will play Japan in last 16.
Did not qualify
Belgium: 4 points, 1 goal scored, 2 goals allowed, -1 goal differential
Canada: 0 points, 2 goal scored, 7 goals allowed, -5 goal differential
Group G
Qualified
Brazil: 6 points, 3 goals scored, 1 goals allowed, +2 goal differential
Will play South Korea in last 16.
Switzerland: 6 points, 4 goal scored, 3 goals allowed, +1 goal differential
Will play Portugal in last 16.
Did not qualify
Cameroon: 4 points, 4 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, 0 goal differential
Serbia: 1 points, 5 goals scored, 8 goals allowed, -3 goal differential
Group H
Qualified
Portugal: 6 points, 6 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, +2 goal differential
Will play Group G runner-up in last 16.
South Korea: 4 points, 4 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, 0 goal differential
Will play Group G winner in last 16.
Did not qualify
Uruguay: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, 0 goal differential
Ghana: 3 points, 5 goals scored, 7 goals allowed, -2 goal differential
