The 22nd edition of the football World Cup hosted by Qatar that began on November 20 has witnessed several surprises so far. As many as 32 teams drawn in eight groups played 32 games till Monday with reigning champions France, Portugal and five-time world champions Brazil already making it to the Round of 16, and hosts Qatar and Canada crashing out.


Now, 27 teams are in the fray to fill the remaining 13 spots of the Knockout round. With every team having played two match at least, there's very little left for the teams, who have still not made it to the knockout bracket, to prove their prowess at the biggest footballing venue.


Here are some of the permutations and combinations for teams to make the Round of 16:


Group A


The Netherlands: The Oranje bagged four points so far after defeating Senegal 2-0 and playing out a 1-1 draw against Ecuador. They will take on outgoing hosts Qatar Tuesday. Louis van Gal's men will seal a Round of 16 spot with a win or a draw against Qatar. In case of their loss to Qatar, the Dutch can still qualify if Ecuador wins. Another probability of The Netherlands proceeding further despite losing to Qatar is they should lose by less than three goals. 


Ecuador: The South American powerhouse also have four points in their kitty, with a win and a draw. Ecuador defeated Qatar in the first match and settled for a draw with the Oranje. They are playing Senegal at Khalifa International Stadium Tuesday. Ecuador can qualify if they win or draw against Senegal. But, if Gustavo Alfaro's team loses to Senegal, they will only make it to Round of 16 if The Netherlands also lose to Qatar. In that case, based on goal difference the positions of the teams would be decided.


Senegal: The African nation can proceed further if they beat Ecuador and a draw can also push the former forward given that Netherlands lose to Qatar. But a loss against Ecuador puts an end to their World Cup sojourn.


Qatar: The hosts have been eliminated making it the worst elimination in the history of FIFA World Cup. The only host team returning home from group stage was South Africa, which hosted the World Cup in 2010.


Remaining fixtures: Netherlands vs Qatar; Ecuador vs Senegal




Group B


England: The Gareth Southgate men have secured four points and stand atop the Group B table after they mauled Iran 6-2 and later played out a goalless draw against the USA. England will definitely qualify with a win or draw against Wales. It can only be crashed out of the event if they incur a huge defeat against Wales. If Iran or USA win, England can lose with a margin of three goals against Wales. If England lose with six or more goals, and Iran or USA win, they will finish third behind Wales.


If England lose and USA vs Iran is a draw, the English will end up remaining on top of the table unless they lose to Wales with four or more goals. If Wales pull off the biggest upset in history by beating England by four or five goals, even then the Three Lions will finish second and be through to the Round of 16.


Iran: The Iranians after being hit for a six by England made a tremendous comeback by registering a victory against a 10-man Welsh side to secure three points and climb to the second position on the table. Iran is guaranteed to finish on top two of the group with a victory against USA. A draw for Iran would be enough to proceed given Wales lose or draw against England. A loss against USA would stop Iran's journey at the group stage.


USA: After being held by Wales and England, the American team's only hope to proceed into the knockout round is beating Iran. Besides, it can even stand atop the group if England loses to Wales.


Wales: The Welsh side created history by playing the World Cup for the first time. But after a draw against USA and a defeat against Iran, Wales should beat sturdy England to keep their World Cup dreams alive. 


Remaining fixtures: Wales vs England; Iran vs USA.




Group C


With Saudi Arabia's stunning win against Argentina and Poland continuing to ride on their good form, this group appears to be the 'Group of Death' this time around. Coming into the tournament, Argentina, a two-time world champion, were due to give a fitting tribute to country's legendary footballer Diego Maradona, who died in 2020. Meanhwile, Mexico were twice quarterfinalists and qualified for the knockout round for straight seven times while Poland were third-placed twice.


Poland: With a draw and a win, the Polish team has secured four points in the group stage and the Lewandowski-powered side is guaranteed to proceed with a win or a draw against Argentina. If Poland loses to Argentina, the latter will finish on top with six points and second place will be decided based on the goal difference between Poland and Mexico as they will both have four points.


If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia win, the former will have to exit as Harve Renard's men will take the second spot on the table. 


Argentina: Argentina are guaranteed to make the knockout bracket with a win against Poland and they take the top spot if Saudi Arabia draw or lose to Mexico. If Saudi Arabia also register a victory against Mexico, the top spot between Argentina and them will be decided based on goal difference. If Argentina draw, they still are guaranteed to qualify if Saudi Arabia vs Mexico ends in a draw. If Argentina draw and Saudi Arabia beat Mexico, that will be the end of Argentina's World Cup journey.


If Argentina draw and Mexico win, Poland will top the group, leaving both teams with four points. Goal difference will then decide who will keep the cup hopes alive. If Argentina lose, they cannot qualify for the last 16.    


Saudi Arabia: Harve Renard's team will qualify with a win and they will top the group if Poland vs Argentina ends up in a stalemate. Saudi Arabia cannot qualify if they lose to Mexico or both games are draw.  


Mexico: Languishing in the bottom of the group, Mexico has a small window to qualify, if they beat Saudi Arabia by four or more goals. If Mexico and Poland register wins in their next games, Mexico will finish second. If Poland vs Argentina is a draw, Mexico can qualify only if they win by at least three goals. 


Remaining fixtures: Poland vs Argentina; Saudi Arabia vs Mexico.




Group D


France: With two wins, France have already qualified for the Round of 16.


Australia: The Socceroos are guaranteed to finish top two by defeating Denmark. They can also qualify with a draw if France beats or draws with Tunisia. Australia cannot qualify with a defeat.


Denmark: The Danish with a draw and a loss stand third in the group currently. But they have a chance to qualify if they beat Australia. If Denmark and Tunisia win, both teams will have four points and the second place will be decided on goal difference. Denmark cannot qualify if they lose their next fixture. 


Tunisia: Tunisia standing fourth on the group table, must win against high-flying France to qualify for the knockout round. They are guaranteed a second place if Australia vs Denmark is a draw. 


Remaining fixtures: Australia vs Denmark; Tunisia vs France.




Group E


Drawing two former World Champions, this group was expected to be the 'Group of Death' ahead of the showpiece event. But with Japan pulling off an upset and Spain holding them to a draw, four-time world champions Germany are languishing in the bottom of the points table.


Spain: After scripting a victory and a draw, the Spaniards top the group with four points. With a win or draw against Japan, Spain can make it to the last 16. They will end up as group toppers with a win or with a draw if Costa Rica draws or lose to Germany.


If Spain lose and Costa Rica win, Luis Enrique's men will be out of the World Cup fray. If Spain lose and Germany win, Japan will top the group with six points while both European teams will have four points.


Japan: The Japanese are guaranteed to make the last 16 if they beat Spain. However, they can be group winners if Costa Rica draws or lose to Germany. Japan and Costa Rica take second and third place with three points each, but the goal difference for the two teams is 0 and -6, respectively, which gives an advantage to Japan.


If Japan and Costa Rica win, the top spot of the group will be decided on goal difference. If both Japan vs Spain and Costa Rica vs Germany end up with a draw, Japan will be in the knockout bracket. But if Spain holds Japan for a draw and Germany beats Costa Rica, both the European teams will have four points and it will be decided with group goal scored.


Japan will fail to qualify if Spain defeat them.


Costa Rica: With a victory and a loss, the Costa Ricans stand third with three points but making a cut to the last 16 will be guaranteed for Costa Rica they defeat Germany. If both Costa Rica and Japan win, the top spot will be decided with the help of goal difference. If Costa Rica draw and Spain loses to Japan, the former will finish third which will end their World Cup hopes.


Costa Rica will finish second if they draw and Japan lose to Spain. They cannot proceed if both the games are draw and if they face a defeat.


Germany: The four-time World champions hit rock bottom after being defeated by Japan and drawing against Spain. Germany have so far bagged one point. They will have a chance to qualify for the Round of 16 by defeating Costa Rica. If Germany and Spain win by right goals, Germany will finish second. If Germany win and Japan vs Spain ends in a draw, the football juggernauts can based on the goal difference.


Remaining fixtures: Costa Rica vs Germany; Japan vs Spain.




Group F


Croatia: Largely banking on their experience, Croatia won one and drew one match, taking the top spot in Group F. Their qualification to the knockout round is guaranteed with a win or a draw against Belgium. They will top the group with a win if Morocco draw or losse.


If Croatia lose and Morocco win, the former will end up finishing second while if both matches result in a draw, Croatia will win the group. If Croatia and Morocco both win, the top spot will be decided based on goal difference. If both lose, Belgium will win the top spot with six points and Croatia and Morocco will have four points and the second-spot team will be decided based on goal difference.


If Croatia lose and Morocco win or draw, Croatia will crash out of the tournament.


Morocco: Beating Canada in their next fixture can catapult Morocco into the last 16. They will top the group if Croatia lose or draw against Belgium. If Morocco lose and Croatia win, the former will finish second on the group table. If Morocco and Croatia lose, Belgium will finish second.


Belgium: Belgium will qualify with a win against Croatia and will stand atop the group table if Morocco draw or lose. Belgium will be out of the contest if Morocco win or draw against Canada.


Canada: The North American minnows have been eliminated after losing both the games in the group stage.


Remaining fixtures: Canada vs Morocco; Croatia vs Belgium.




Group G


Brazil: Coming into the quadrennial event as tournament favourites, Brazil topped the group with two wins and have already qualifed for the knockout stage.


Switzerland: With a win and a loss, the Swiss team stands second on the group table and their qualification to the knockout stage is guaranteed with a win against Serbia. They can also qualify with a draw if Cameroon lose against Brazil. If the Swiss are held by Serbia, and Cameroon win, Brazil will finish on top. Both Switzerland and Cameroon will have four points then and goal difference will decide who will proceed to the last 16. Switzerland if defeated will crash out.


Cameroon: Standing with one point after two matches, Cameroon will have to beat a sturdy Brazil to make a move further.


Serbia: Serbia too have to win to get any chance of making it to the Round of 16.


Remaining fixtures: Serbia vs Switzerland; Cameroon vs Brazil.




Group H


Portugal: With two back-to-back wins, Portugal with 6 points are on top. They have qualified for Round of 16. If Portugal lose and Ghana win, the top spot will be decided based on goal difference. 


Ghana: The African team is guaranteed to qualify to the knockout stage with a win or draw against Uruguay. If Ghana draw and South Korea draw or lose, Ghana will finish second. If Ghana draw and South Korea win, both will have four points and goal difference will decide who go to the next round. Ghana will fail to qualify if beaten by Uruguay. 


South Korea: South Korea have little chance to qualify for the knockout round after losing and drawing in the two previous matches. They have to beat Portugal to make it to the last 16. If both South Korea and Ghana win, the former will finish third and it will be end of their World Cup journey in Qatar. 


Uruguay: They have to win against Ghana and will finish second if South Korea draw or lose against Portugal. If Uruguay and South Korea win, both teams will have four points and the Round of 16 team will be decided based on goal difference. 


Remaining fixtures: South Korea vs Portugal; Ghana vs Uruguay.