How can U.S. advance at World Cup?

The United States' tie against Slovenia on Friday, combined with England's tie with Algeria, have left Group C of the World Cup wide open headed into the final matches. The U.S. still controls its own destiny, and there are plenty of scenarios — including one that's sure to cause a stir — that could see the U.S. advance to the knockout stage or go home.

All four teams will play the final game of the group stage round on Wednesday, with the United States taking on Algeria and England facing Slovenia. Both matches are slated for 10 a.m. ET.

Group C standings

 

Team	W-T-L	Points	GD	GF
Slovenia	1-1-0	4	+1	3
United States	0-2-0	2	0	3
England	0-2-0	2	0	1
Algeria	0-1-1	1	-1	0

 

The United States currently stands tied for second place with England at two points, though the U.S. holds the tiebreaker edge due to more goals scored. Slovenia leads the group with four points and the Algerians are last with one. Teams receive three points for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss.

Total points is the first determining factor in who will advance, followed by goal differential and then total goals scored. If two or more teams are still tied once those factors have been taken into account, head-to-head result comes next. If that result was a tie, then it comes down to a drawing of lots by FIFA officials, a controversial possibility that might come to fruition for the U.S. and England.

U.S. advances with ...
1. A win over Algeria. The U.S. would then have five points, enough to ensure one of the top two spots.
2. A tie against Algeria and a Slovenia win over England. The U.S. would then have three points, good for second place behind Slovenia.
3. A tie against Algeria and a Slovenia-England tie in which England does not outscore U.S. by two or more goals. The U.S. and England would then each have three points, and the U.S. would win the tiebreaker on total goals scored to finish second behind Slovenia's five points.

U.S. might advance with ...
1. A tie against Algeria and a Slovenia-England tie in which England outscores the U.S. by exactly two goals. In that scenario, the U.S. and England would be equal on points, goal differential and goals scored, meaning the advancement would come down to a "drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee."

U.S. is eliminated with ...
1. A loss to Algeria. The U.S. would then be stuck at two points, while Algeria would jump up to four. With Slovenia already having four, the U.S. would not have enough to move on.
2. A tie against Algeria and an England win over Slovenia. The U.S. would then have only three points, while England's win would give them five and Slovenia would have four.
3. A tie against Algeria and a Slovenia-England tie in which England outscores the U.S. by three or more goals. The U.S. and England would then each have three points, and the U.S. would lose the tiebreaker on total goals scored to finish third behind Slovenia and England.

Group schedule and results

June 12: England 1, United States 1

June 13: Slovenia 1, Algeria 0

June 18: United States 2, Slovenia 2; England 0, Algeria 0

June 23: United States vs. Algeria, 10 a.m. ET; England vs. Slovenia, 10 a.m. ET