Are World Cup groups sorted by goal difference or head-to-head record and does this differ from the European Championship?

ENGLAND and Belgium are fully expected to contest the top two spots in Group G at the World Cup.

Managers Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez will both be looking to beat underdogs Tunisia and Panama before the big clash in Kaliningrad on June 28.

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This match is obviously likely to be the decider as to who actually wins the group and therefore most likely to obtain an easier draw in the first knockout stage.

So there is a lot resting on the outcome…

But what happens if England and Belgium, say, happen to finish level on points.

Or even if two or more teams end up with the same number of points…

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AP:Associated Press

What is the situation if two teams finish level on points at the group stage in Russia?

Each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the four-team group with three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.

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Who finishes above who will be decided by goal difference, not their head-to-head record.

If that is not conclusive then the greatest number of goals scored will decide.

Did the same rule apply at Euro 2016?

No. In France two years ago the system was run by Uefa, as opposed to Fifa at the World Cup.

Uefa plumped for a different system – group places were decided on goals scored.