Who could Germany face in the Round of 32 at the World Cup?

Following Deniz Undav’s stoppage-time winner against the Ivory Coast, Germany have secured top spot in their World Cup group with one game to spare. Remarkably, this is the first time since 2014 that Germany has gotten out of the Group Stage at the World Cup. Prior to 2018 and 2022, Germany had never failed to get out of the groups. 

With this in mind, Die Mannschaft cannot think of resting a few players against Ecuador on Thursday and looks ahead to a Round of 32 clash against one of the eight best third-place teams in the competition. 

However, who could Germany play, and what is the current state of play? 

Scotland, Czechia, Sweden?

The eight best of the twelve third-placed teams advance to the first round of the knockout stages at the World Cup. 

To determine the best third-placed teams in the World Cup, these teams must be directly compared in a separate table to identify the best nations. First, their points totals are compared. In case of a tie, goal difference is taken into account. If it’s still a tie then, in descending order of importance, the number of goals scored in the group stage and the lowest number of penalty points are considered (yellow card = -1 point, yellow-red card = -3 points, red card = -4 points, yellow card combined with a red card = -5 points).

If there is still equality according to these four criteria, the ranking in the FIFA world ranking decides.

Are you still with me?… 

The groups still have two or one matches to play; however, as it currently stands, Germany will face Scotland in the Round of 32. The Scots are due to play Brazil in Miami in the final group match, so the outcome there could change this scenario. 

As Group E winners, Germany will play the third place time from either group A, B, C, D, or F. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen