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World Cup qualification possibilities and paths for Brazil, England, Ghana, and Morocco
21st June, 2026 06:43 PM
The early scramble for slots in the round of 32 stage of the 2026 World Cup continues unabated as top teams fight in the preliminary stages of the competition in the ongoing round two games.
Already, the United States, Mexico, and Germany have punched their tickets to the next rounds after back-to-back wins in the groups.
Mauricio Pochettino’s United States’ back-to-back wins in their group saw the USMNT break a 96-year wait for wins on the bounce.
Eliminated teams
Haiti and Turkey became the first casualties of the tournament. The Caribbean nation and its European counterparts were the first two teams to be officially eliminated from the World Cup.
Haiti, under former Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne, was ousted after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil. The side also lost their opening group match against Scotland and cannot mathematically advance to the round of 32 stage.
Amid the scramble for the round of 32, teams garnering a minimum of four points from the next two games guarantee a place in the next phase either as group winners or runners-up.
Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will qualify for the Round of 32 as Group C winners (and meet the Group F runners-up in Houston on 29 June) if:
- They win or draw vs Scotland, and Morocco fails to defeat Haiti.
- They defeat Scotland, Morocco beat Haiti, and Brazil finishes above Morocco on overall goal difference, or, if that is equal, overall number of goals scored, or, if that is equal, Fair Play ranking. If that is equal, Brazil is ahead of Morocco in the FIFA World Ranking, so would finish above them.
The Selecao can also advance as group runners-up if they meet the Group F winners in Monterrey on 29 June if:
They lose to Scotland, Haiti defeats Morocco, and Brazil finishes above Morocco on overall goal difference, or, if that is equal, overall number of goals scored, or, if that is equal, Brazil is ahead of Morocco in the FIFA ranking, so they would finish above them.
They defeat Scotland, Morocco beats Haiti, and Morocco finishes above Brazil on overall goal difference, or, if that is equal, overall number of goals scored, or, if that is equal, Fair Play ranking.
They draw with Scotland, and Morocco defeat Haiti.
A similar permutation applies to Morocco, the high-riding Maghreb nation, which can qualify for the Round of 32 as Group C winners (and meet the Group F runners-up in Houston on 29 June) if:
They beat Haiti; Brazil defeated Scotland; and Morocco finished above Brazil on overall goal difference, or, if that is equal, overall number of goals scored, or, if that is equal, Fair Play ranking.
They beat Haiti, and Brazil fails to defeat Scotland.
Four permutations could see Atlas Lions finish as group runners-up. Includes drawing with Haiti, or losing to Haiti, and Scotland fails to defeat Brazil.
Egypt’s fate in Group G
Meanwhile, in Group G, comprising dark horses Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, matters are delicately poised with all to play for heading to their match day two on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Iran will be at the Los Angeles Stadium to face Belgium, with both teams eyeing a win to get their campaign on a winning run with a maiden win.
African giants, the Pharaohs of Egypt, will play New Zealand in the other group match on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 4:00 am.
After Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 prior to IR Iran and New Zealand playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw, none of the quartet can qualify or be eliminated in their second round of matches.
In Group L, where England and Ghana lead proceedings with three points apiece. The Black Stars can secure the top spot in the group if they defeat England and Croatia does not beat Panama.
Following their 4-2 win over Croatia, the Three Lions will go through as Group L winners and meet the third-placed team in Group E, H, I, J or K in the Round of 32 in Atlanta on 1 July, if:
- They defeat Ghana, and Panama does not beat Croatia.
Ghana will face England on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as Croatia faces off against Panama in the other group clash.
