Are World Cup groups sorted by goal difference and what happens if two teams are level after that?

ENGLAND and Belgium battle it out for top spot in Group G at the World Cup.

But how will it all be decided if they are level on points?

1

What is the situation if two teams finish level on points at the group stage in Russia?

Each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the four-team group with three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.

• Who finishes above who will be decided by goal difference, not their head-to-head record.
• If that is not conclusive then goals scored will decide.
• If the goals scored are the same then it's head-to-head in the matches between the two teams that are tied.
• If all of this is the same then it's down to the fair play ranking - which is the team's disciplinary for the tournament.
• In the example of Group G, England have received TWO yellow cards and no reds after their two games, Belgium are on THREE yellow cards and no reds so England will finish top if it's a draw and Belgium stay ahead on disciplinary cards.

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Did the same rule apply at Euro 2016?

No. In France two years ago the system was run by Uefa, as opposed to Fifa at the World Cup.

Uefa plumped for a different system - group places were decided on head-to-head record.