Haiti, Turkey and Tunisia have all been eliminated from World Cup 2026 after just two group-stage matches. The three nations have been all but sent home courtesy of a newly introduced FIFA regulation.
World Cup 2026 is in full swing across North America, with a number of sides having already completed two of their three group-stage fixtures. For certain nations, those matches have yielded maximum points, with the likes of Mexico, Germany and the United States having already secured their places in the knockout rounds. However, on the other side of the coin, several teams have been dumped out following back-to-back defeats. A new FIFA rule concerning head-to-head results has sealed their fate.
In theory, a thumping victory over Morocco combined with a heavy Scotland defeat to Brazil could have opened the door to a best third-place finisher’s route to the knockouts on goal difference. However, a new FIFA rule change means goal difference is no longer the primary tiebreaker when teams finish level on points. Head-to-head points are now the first criterion applied.
Having suffered defeat to Scotland, Haiti can now accumulate a maximum of three points, meaning their inferior head-to-head record makes it impossible for them to climb above Scotland in the standings. They will remain rooted to the foot of the group in fourth place.
Turkey find themselves in an identical predicament as the second nation to be eliminated. Despite generating considerable excitement about their prospects heading into Group D, they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Australia in their opening fixture.
A surprising 1-0 loss to Paraguay followed. Both Australia and Paraguay are level on three points, while the USA sit top of the group on six. Having fallen to both Australia and Paraguay on head-to-head record, Turkey cannot leapfrog either side and are destined to finish bottom of their group.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Tunisia became the third team officially knocked out of World Cup 2026.
Their campaign began disastrously with a heavy 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden. Japan then inflicted further misery with a commanding 4-0 victory and with the head-to-head rules preventing Tunisia from finishing above Sweden, their tournament exit has been confirmed.