World Cup Group B permutations: What England, USA, Wales and Iran need

World Cup Group B permutations: England are held by USA but EVEN a 3-0 defeat in matchday three will see them go through to the knockouts… with ALL four teams still able to progress

  • England fell to a disappointing 0-0 draw against USA on Friday night in Group B
  • The result meant that England have not yet secured progression to the last-16 
  • England would still reach the knockouts even if Wales beat them 3-0 on Tuesday
  • But Gareth Southgate’s side need a win to guarantee top spot in a close group 

England were unable to secure an early progression to the knockouts as Gareth Southgate’s side were held by USA in their second World Cup Group B clash. 

The Three Lions, following their emphatic 6-2 win over Iran on Monday, looked a totally different outfit with USA the better team on Friday night in Qatar. 

A 0-0 draw undoubtedly suits USA better, with Gregg Berhalter’s side now knowing a win in their final game against Iran on Tuesday will secure them a place in the last-16. 

Harry Kane (left) and England were frustrated as they managed only a 0-0 draw against USA

The England captain missed a glorious chance right at the death with his side putting in a largely poor showing

The result comes after Wales suffered a bitterly disappointing defeat to Iran earlier in the day 

Southgate will have looked at the possibility of resting a number of key players in Tuesday’s final group showdown against Wales, but that prospect was wiped out by an ultimately poor showing.  

Earlier in the day, fellow Brits Wales suffered a hugely disappointing defeat as an impressive Iran bounced back from their opening-day drubbing to claim a 2-0 win and keep their hopes of the knockouts alive. 

Friday’s results mean that all four teams are still able to secure progression to the knockouts in the final round of fixtures. 

Though a disappointing result for England, Southgate and his players will know that even defeat to Wales on Tuesday would likely see them progress, by virtue of their significantly better goal difference. Wales would need to win 4-0 to finish above England. 

Wales, therefore, will have a runner-up place to aim for, though they will likely need need the clash between Iran and Wales to end as a draw for them to progress. 

England sit at the top of Group B with one game to play, but all four sides can progress to the knockouts in the final round of fixtures

In what will be an intriguing match-up between Iran and USA, both sides will come into the clash knowing a win will secure qualification for the knockout rounds. 

Earlier in the day, host nation Qatar became the first side in the competition to be knocked out. 

What each team needs to qualify 

Tie breakers: If two or more teams are still level based on points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head results, then the fair play system will be used.

England

The Three Lions will qualify if they draw against Wales on Tuesday. 

Southgate’s side would move to five points with a draw, with Wales at best moving up to third on two points. 

With Iran and USA – second and third respectively – facing each other, only one side can finish above England. 

England, meanwhile, can lose to Wales and still progress. In fact, even with a 3-0 defeat to Wales they would still go through. 

To guarantee first place in the group, however, they will need to beat Wales.  

Iran 

After their victory over Wales, Carlos Quieroz’s side would seal qualification with a victory over the United States regardless of the other results in the group.

In fact, even if they were to only get a draw against the USA, they would go through if Wales failed to beat England. 

However, if Iran draw with USA and Wales beat England, they will be out. 

United States

Put simply, USA have to beat Iran to win; there is no other option. 

With USA currently in third and behind Iran in second, a draw would leave them behind Tuesday’s opponents.  

Wales 

Wales need to beat England in their final game to have any hope of making the next stage.

Even then it could still be difficult for them to advance. As stated, they need to beat England 4-0 in order to finish above the Three Lions. 

Should they beat England by a lesser margin, they will finish below the Three Lions – and both USA and Iran would finish above them with a win of their own. 

Essentially, Wales must win AND Iran vs USA must end as a draw… unless they beat England 4-0.  




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