The football World Cup is being held with the participation of 48 teams for the first time, so the knockout stage has also expanded to 32 teams. The new format has changed the maths of reaching the knockout stage. This time, not only the top two teams from each group but also eight teams finishing third in the 12 groups have made the last 32.
Among the third-placed teams, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and DR Congo have earned knockout tickets.
Of these, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Algeria and DR Congo made the best eight on 4 points, while Senegal qualified on 3 points.
Under FIFA’s new rules, eight teams were chosen on points among the third-placed sides, with goal difference used as a tie-breaker when points were level.
As a result, Iran, South Korea, Scotland and Uruguay were out of luck despite finishing third. Trailing on goal difference, the four teams had to exit at the group stage.
Although they have secured knockout places as third-placed teams, tough tests await them. In the last 32, Bosnia and Herzegovina face hosts the United States, Paraguay face Germany, Sweden take on France, Ecuador meet Mexico, Ghana face Colombia, Senegal play Belgium, Algeria face Switzerland and DR Congo face England.
The single-elimination knockout stage is set to begin with a match between hosts Canada and South Africa on Sunday night. The winners of the 16 matches in this round will reach the round of 16, while the losing teams will have to catch their flights home.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report