World Cup groups separated by head-to-head records for first time

Mexico could choose to rest players against the Czech Republic with top spot secured [Getty Images]There has been a subtle change in the way Fifa is determining league tables for the 2026 World Cup - and it might have a huge impact on the final group matches.For the first time at a World Cup, Fifa is using head-to-head records instead of group goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points.And the change is already being felt, with Haiti and Turkey both going out of the World Cup despite only being three points behind the team in third.

Co-hosts Mexico and the United States, meanwhile, are guaranteed to top their groups with a game to spare.Until 1966, goal ratio was used to separate teams - this involved dividing a team's goals scored by goals conceded. In 1970, Fifa moved to goal difference - until now.

It brings Fifa in line with Uefa, which has always given priority to the results between teams.The logic is that assessing the direct performance of two teams is fairer, because it removes freak results - such as Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao.Others say that taking overall goal difference is better as that compares the total record in the group.

Fifa first introduced the new system at last year's Club World Cup, where Flamengo won Group D ahead of eventual tournament winners Chelsea after two matches.Here's how it changes things at this World Cup.How the rule change is making an impact alreadyThere are two main knock-on effects.

The first is a greater chance of teams not only advancing but winning the group before matchday three. The other is that teams can be eliminated after two matches - this would not be possible if goal difference was used first.Under the old format, a team would need to be four points clear of second to secure top spot after two games.

That was rare because it required the other two fixtures of the first two rounds in the group to both be draws.Now it is possible to be three points clear and have first place in the bag.It can