World Cup 2026: Have changes damaged the end of the group stage?

Take the scandal at the 1982 World Cup.

West Germany played Austria in the standalone final group game. A slender win for the Germans would send both teams through at the expense of Algeria. The match finished 1-0 to West Germany.

After this, Fifa changed it so all final fixtures would be played simultaneously. But it does not completely remove the potential.

There is quite the coincidence at this World Cup.

The final game in Group J is Algeria v Austria. Both teams are on three points, and by the time they play on Saturday they will know if a convenient draw sends both safely through to the round of 32.

Two of the teams involved in 1982, but this time Algeria would be the beneficiaries.

In another coincidence, Austria and Ukraine went into the final group game at Euro 2020 with both teams on three points - a draw would have done for both.

Austria won that game 1-0, though Ukraine still went through.

The same situation presents itself in Group D of this tournament - Australia and Paraguay, both on three points, can play for a draw.

A similar incident occurred at Euro 2004 for the top two places, and to this day many Italians believe that Sweden and Denmark engineered the result.

If the match was a draw and the teams scored at least twice, Italy were out because they scored fewer goals in matches between the three sides.

Sweden equalised in the 89th minute. The final score? Sweden 2-2 Denmark.

It is never going to be possible for all potential third-placed teams to play at the same time.

But the system does create a situation whereby being drawn later provides a clear advantage.

Of course, Scotland could just win or draw against Brazil and put qualification to bed.

It is still in their own hands after all.