There’s more on the line than ever in this last round of World Cup group games. This is why

AI Summary

The expanded format of the World Cup allows more teams to advance to the knockout stages, creating higher stakes in the last round of group games. Changes in qualification rules mean finishing third can now still offer a pathway to the next round.

In past years, finishing third meant elimination. But the expanded World Cup means many more sides have a chance to make the knockout stages. Here is how they decide who progresses to the last 32.