×
ICC T20I rankings: Shafali, Harmanpreet climb while Smriti, Jemimah slip amongst batters  India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over IndiaWomen’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

ICC T20I rankings: Shafali, Harmanpreet climb while Smriti, Jemimah slip amongst batters

India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.

India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.

India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.

ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India

Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.

The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.

Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.

Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.

Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.

India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.

India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.

ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India

Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.

The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.

Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.

Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.

Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

Source link
#ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

Previous post

Estée Lauder Looks for 5 Billion Euro to Fund Puig Deal, Report Says

Next post

Deadspin | Astros’ Isaac Paredes hopes power surge continues vs. Guardians <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28773795.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28773795.jpg" alt="MLB: Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener. </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>“He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians

Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #tradeMay 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.

According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.

Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.

Randle, 31, is due to make $33.3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for $35.8 million for 2027-28.


The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.

Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.

He is signed for $23.3 million in 2026-27 and $21.1 million in 2027-28.

Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade">Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I  Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.What are the Group I standings?Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsFrance20061+56Norway20073+46Senegal00236-30Iraq00117-60What are the next Group I matches?Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.France 3, Iraq 1Norway 3, Senegal 2Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.What are the Group I scenarios?Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.  #World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

Post Comment