86 days to the World Cup: Why going undefeated doesn't guarantee a knockout-round appearance
· Yahoo Sports
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Every World Cup team is guaranteed at least three group stage games. Avoid defeat in all three, and you’d expect to move on, but that’s not always the case.
Four teams in World Cup history have the infamous distinction of going undefeated, yet failing to advance out of the group stage.
At the 1982 World Cup Cameroon drew all three of its matches in its tournament debut, including a result against eventual champions Italy. But, with just one goal scored, Cameroon fell short and was eliminated.
Belgium (at the 1998 World Cup) and New Zealand (at the 2010 tournament) suffered the same fate, drawing all three matches but finishing behind teams that simply won more games.
This unique group also includes the unfortunate 1974 Scotland team, which won its opening game and drew its final two in the group. They ended up in a three-way tie with Yugoslavia and Brazil, but were undone by the lowest goal difference.
The 2026 World Cup will feature the most teams ever with 48, which means 16 will be eliminated during the group stage and 32 teams will move on to the knockout round.
More teams advancing will give those involved a better chance of escaping the group stage, especially since the eight best third-place teams will also be part of the Round of 32.