World Cup 2022: Permutations for Group F

PERMUTATIONS: How things in Group F could unfold following Thursday's games

November 30, 2022 By Oscar Rojas

Topics: FIFA World Cup, Croatia, Belgium, Morocco, Canada, TV Schedules, TV Listings, Streaming info

Contrary to other groups, one team has already been eliminated from the competition in this group, but they could still have a major say in the outcome of the lot.

A FIFA World Cup group featuring the runners-up in the previous tournament, an African side, and the team that was ranked No.1 by FIFA was supposed to bring interesting matches for fans around the world. Teams in this group have not disappointed, but now the time has come for them to sort things out and to allocate the ranks for the next stage of the competition.

Canada have already been eliminated from the tournament, but the CONCACAF side are still looking for their first-ever win in a World Cup, and if it comes on Thursday, it could have a massive effect in the outcome of the lot.

First of all, let us have a look at the group prior to Thursday's games.

Now, let us get to what each team needs as they are currently ranked.

Croatia

The Vatreni are top of the group with a better goal difference than Morocco, and they will enter their match against Belgium with quite a few things to sort out. This was supposed to be a game in which these teams were supposed to fight for the top spot and with both of them qualified, but it seems that only one of them will go through if there is a winner in their clash. A win would see Croatia would see them through in first, while a draw could also help them reach the next stage regardless of what happens in the other match. If the Croatians lose, then they will have to hope for a loss by Morocco to reach the KO stage.

Morocco

The African side has only made it past the group stage once (in 1986), and this time, their chances are bigger than ever thanks to their unbeaten run in the tournament. A win for Morocco would see them through with no questions asked, while a draw could also help them if Belgium beat Croatia. In the event of a loss, they would need Belgium to beat Croatia by a wider margin than them, so their goal difference gives them the edge over the Europeans.

Belgium

The European team made it to Qatar as one of the favorites, but they have been a massive disappointment with their narrow win against Canada, their loss to Morocco, and their inner problems that have been the talk of sensationalist media throughout the tournament. Now, Belgium need a win against Croatia to secure a spot in the next round. A draw could be enough for them if Morocco lose by more than four goals, and a loss would effectively end the competition for Roberto Martínez's side.

Canada

The North American team has already been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup. Their only goal so far would be to take Morocco with them, as a win for the Canadians could complicate things for Morocco or ultimately have them eliminated.