England missed the chance to qualify for the World Cup last-16 after their drab draw with USA last Friday.
The result retained the Three Lions’ spot at the top of Group B but Gareth Southgate’s side still have work to do ahead of the final game with Wales.
England are currently on four points after two games, but all three of Iran, USA and even Wales still have a chance of qualification.
Top spot could prove invaluable for the nation’s chances of going deep in the Qatar tournament, as England would avoid the winners of Group A should they hold on.
What do England need to qualify?
The Three Lions’ emphatic 6-2 win over Iran in their first game means finishing in the top two in Group B is all-but assured.
Should Southgate’s men avoid a four-goal defeat to neighbours Wales on Tuesday then they will qualify.
However, top spot is still the priority for England and they can only guarantee that outcome with a victory.
England will still top the pile if they draw unless Iran beat the USA or the USA hammer Iran by at least four goals.
The Three Lions can even finish first with a defeat to Wales – as long as the margin is less than four – and Iran draw with the USA.
How World Cup qualification is decided
If teams are level on points after three games this is the order in which their final position is determined
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head results
- Fair play: The team who accumulates the fewest indiscipline points (One point for a yellow card, three points for a red card, four points for a straight red plus five points for a straight red card shown to a player already on a yellow).
- Lots drawn
Who could England face in the last 16?
Should England progress from their group, as they are expected to, they would play Group A opposition in the last-16.
This means the Three Lions may face either Netherlands, Senegal or Ecuador. Hosts Qatar have already been eliminated.
Winning Group B would set up a fixture against the Group A runner-up, which is currently Ecuador in second behind the Netherlands.
The Dutch are level on points with Ecuador and only need to match the latter’s result against Senegal when they face Qatar on Tuesday.
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
