World Cup 2018: Qualification possibilities for all 8 groups

We are two rounds down in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This means that it is an intense period for some teams who still have a chance to qualify for the Last 16.

There are teams whose position is secured, while some teams have their World Cup status hanging by a thread. Teams will face each other to determine who tops the group, while some have a much more essential need.

Some teams are dependent on other results, along with their own, to advance. It is a chance for a few of them to salvage their campaigns and make something good come out of them.

Others are in a comfortable stage, while others had their fate sealed in the second round of games itself. Here, we take a look at all the permutations for every team from Group A to H, in Russia.

Group A

Russia: Qualified. Will top the group if they avoid defeat against Uruguay.

Uruguay: Qualified. Will top the group if they beat Russia.

Egypt: Eliminated. Will finish third if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Egypt.

This is a fairly straightforward group, with the two qualified teams and the two eliminated teams playing each other.

Russia will fancy their chances to top the group as they have been playing extremely well in the tournament so far. However, Uruguay are masters at grinding out results, so they could steal the top spot from under the hosts' noses. The other game sees Mo Salah's Egypt playing for pride against Saudi Arabia.

Likely to progress: Russia and Uruguay (Both confirmed)

Group B

Spain: Will qualify unless they lose to Morocco, by more than one goal and Portugal fail to beat Iran.

Portugal: Will qualify unless they lose to Iran, and Spain avoid defeat against Morocco by a bigger margin

Iran: Will qualify only if they beat Portugal.

Morocco: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Spain and Portugal beat Iran.

This group also seems more or less straightforward. Iran should not cause many problems for Portugal, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the field.

Similarly, Spain should not have any problems against Morocco, who lost their first two games despite playing well and impressing. In order to finish higher than the other, Spain and Portugal will have to better each other's result.

If they stay on the same number of points, goals scored and goals conceded, it will come down to Fair Play points. Spain currently holds the advantage in that respect.

Likely to progress: Spain and Portugal

Group C

France: Qualified. Will top the group if they avoid defeat against Denmark.

Denmark: Will qualify if they avoid defeat against France or Australia fail to beat Peru.

Australia: Will qualify if they beat Peru and France beat Denmark.

Peru: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Australia.

France are comfortable at the top of this group and should not slip up against Denmark. The Danes need to get a point in their game, or hope that Australia does not beat Peru by more than a goal.

The Socceroos will look to continue their fine form in their final game, while Peru are also due some luck, after they fell agonizingly short in their opening two games. Les Bleus will likely top the group, while Denmark might have to seek news from elsewhere to learn their fate.

Likely to progress: France (Confirmed) and Denmark

Group D

Croatia: Qualified. Will top the group unless Iceland beat them and Nigeria beat Argentina by heavy margins.

Nigeria: Will qualify if they avoid defeat against Argentina.

Iceland: Will qualify if they beat Croatia and Argentina beat Nigeria by a lesser margin.

Argentina: Will qualify if they beat Nigeria and Iceland fail to beat Croatia.

This is a tricky situation. If Iceland beat Croatia and Nigeria fail to beat Argentina, it will come down to goal difference.

Argentina will have to win and hope that Iceland fails to do so, or win by a bigger margin than Iceland. Iceland is in the toughest position, as them winning is not enough.

They are heavily contingent on the game between Argentina and Nigeria. It is one of the most critical matches of the group stage in Russia.

Likely to progress: Croatia (Confirmed) and Argentina

Group E

Brazil: Will qualify if they avoid defeat against Serbia.

Switzerland: Will qualify if they avoid defeat against Costa Rica or Serbia fail to beat Brazil.

Serbia: Will qualify if they beat Brazil or, they draw and Costa Rica beat Switzerland.

Costa Rica: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Switzerland and Brazil beat Serbia.

Brazil should not have any problems in topping this group, although Serbia could put up a fight. They might not be able to make it, as Switzerland will want to capitalize on two great games and advance to the Last 16.

Costa Rica was the surprise package at the last World Cup, but have disappointed this time around. Brazil and Switzerland will go neck and neck if the both of them win their final group game. It will come down to goal difference.

Likely to progress: Brazil and Switzerland

Group F

Mexico: Will qualify and top the group if they avoid defeat against Sweden.

Germany: Will qualify if they better Sweden's result against Mexico.

Sweden: Will qualify if they better Germany's result against South Korea.

South Korea: Will qualify if they beat Germany and Mexico beat Sweden.

This group should be academic, with Mexico and Germany progressing to the next round. However, a shock or two could swing one of them out in the group stage. Nobody is buried yet, but nobody is safe. Mexico only needs a point against Sweden to top the group, while Germany just needs to do better than the Swedes to ensure qualification. South Korea has the slimmest of chances to make it. They need to beat the Germans, a ridiculously tough ask, and hope that Sweden lose to Mexico. Perhaps I am making it more complicated than it should be.

Likely to progress: Mexico and Germany

Group G

England: Qualified. Will top the group if they beat Belgium.

Belgium: Qualified. Will top the group if they beat England.

Tunisia: Eliminated. Will finish third if they avoid defeat against Panama.

Panama: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Tunisia.

Much like Group A, this group is straightforward. It is only a matter of who will top the group and who will go home with some pride. England and Belgium put in excellent performances over the weekend to confirm their progression. They ended up having the exact same number of goals scored and goals conceded. Their match will decide the top dogs of Group G. However if they draw, Fair Play points will determine who will top the group. England currently stand ahead of Belgium, but it could come down to which team is more disciplined in their match. Tunisia and Panama will hope to salvage some positive memory from this World Cup.

Likely to progress: England and Belgium (Both confirmed)

Group H

Japan: Will qualify unless they lose against Poland and Colombia beat Senegal by a smaller margin.

Senegal: Will qualify if they avoid defeat against Colombia.

Colombia: Will qualify if they beat Senegal.

Poland: Eliminated. Will finish third if they beat Japan and Senegal beat Colombia by heavy margins.

This group is wide open between Japan, Senegal, and Colombia. Japan is pretty much safe, while Senegal vs Colombia is another game which will directly decide the fate of both teams.

Much like Argentina and Nigeria, the South American side must beat the African side to reach the Last 16. It does look likely. Colombia played the entire game against Japan with ten men and still came close, while they outclassed Poland. The Polish were well fancied to do well, but they have failed miserably.

Likely to progress: Japan and Colombia

Who do you think will advance to the Last 16? Let us know in the comments!

Edited by Akhilesh Tirumala