World Cup rule change explained as third country knocked out of tournament early

You can't get away with it at this World Cup...

The first two countries to be eliminated were Haiti and Türkiye, and now Tunisia has joined them as another knocked out country.

The second appearance at a World Cup for Haiti ended in a 3-0 defeat by Brazil, after they lost to Scotland in Boston in their opening game.

On the other hand, Türkiye suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Paraguay, disappointing a country of 87 million as they made a return at the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

In the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Türkiye were one of the tournament’s sensations, as they finished third place.

But this time around they finished the first two games without any goals scored, failing to find the net even against a Paraguay reduced to 10 men.

Tunisia, meanwhile, suffered two heavy defeats: 5-1 against Sweden and a 4-0 loss to Japan.

Why the knockout stages are a dream not come true for Haiti, Türkiye and Tunisia

While two defeats in the group stage didn’t mean necessarily mean the end of the road for a team in previous World Cups - as finishing on three points has historically been enough to get some teams to the last 32 - things are different this year.

For example, if Türkiye were able to beat the USA, ideally by three or more goals, while either Paraguay or Australia lost, they would finish in third place and have a shot at the knockout stages.

A rule change from FIFA means that this is no longer possible, as the final group rankings are decided by head-to-head records instead of group goal difference.

What this change meant for Türkiye, since they already lost against Australia and Paraguay, is that they are unable to finish above either team in the group.

Türkiye’s destination, now with co-hosts US leading the group on six points, is pretty clear: home.

The same applies to Haiti, as they lost against Brazil and Scotland, and even a win against Morocco wouldn’t get them through to the knockout stages.

This was Haiti’s second ever World Cup, as they first made their appearance in 1976.

However, being the lowest-ranked team in the competition, barely anyone expected them to survive their group, as opposed to Türkiye who have a much higher squad value and were considered a “dark horse” of the World Cup.

Likewise, Tunisia also suffered two defeats and these head-to-head losses means they will also pack their bags and go home, as per the new rule change from FIFA.

Other teams that are currently at a risk of an early exit are: Algeria, Iraq and Croatia.

Impressively, Curaçao, a team many thought would also face an early exit after two games, made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to win a point at the World Cup, following 0-0 draw with Ecuador.