Sweden can still advance to the round of 16 as the worst group runner-up, but then they need to win against Japan on Friday night. Otherwise, they have a chance of becoming one of the eight best third-place teams.
If the results are as expected, it looks like Sweden will advance with the three points they already have from the 5-1 win over Tunisia. But upsets by Iran or Ecuador, among others, could change that and force Sweden to take points against Japan.
Here are the standings in the twelve World Cup groups, listed in the order they are decided:
+ Group B
Standings: Switzerland 7, Canada 4, Bosnia-Herzegovina 4, Qatar 1
The group is finished.
Group third: Bosnia-Herzegovina - qualified for the playoffs
+ Group C
Standings: Brazil 7, Morocco 7, Scotland 3, Haiti 0
The group is finished.
Group third: Scotland, 3 points, -3 goal difference.
+ Group A
Standings: Mexico 9, South Africa 4, South Korea 3, Czech Republic 1
The group is finished.
Group third: South Korea, 3 points, -1 goal difference.
+ Group E
Standings: Germany 6, Ivory Coast 3, Ecuador 1, Curaçao 1
Remaining matches: Ecuador–Germany, Curaçao–Ivory Coast (Thursday 10:00 PM)
Most likely: Ecuador and Curaçao will finish without a win, and the group's third place will be weak.
Swedish nightmare result: Germany - already the clear group winner - loses to Ecuador.
+ Group F
Standings: Netherlands 4, Japan 4, Sweden 3, Tunisia 0
Remaining matches: Japan–Sweden, Tunisia–Netherlands (Friday 1:00 AM)
Most likely: Japan wins and Sweden finishes third with 3 points.
Swedish dream result: Swedish victory and second place in the group. Or at least a point, to almost certainly advance in third place.
+ Group D
Standings: USA 6, Australia 3, Paraguay 3, Turkey 0
Remaining matches: Turkey–USA, Paraguay–Australia (Friday 4:00 AM)
Most likely: Paraguay and Australia will cross and both end up on 4 points.
Swedish dream result: One of the teams wins and third place in the group stays at 3 points.
+ Group I
Standings: France 6, Norway 6, Senegal 0, Iraq 0
Remaining matches: Norway–France, Senegal–Iraq (Friday 9:00 PM)
Most likely: Senegal beats Iraq and finishes with 3 points.
Swedish dream result: It will be a draw and both teams will stay at 1 point.
+ Group H
Standings: Spain 4, Uruguay 2, Cape Verde 2, Saudi Arabia 1
Remaining matches: Uruguay–Spain, Cape Verde–Saudi Arabia (Saturday 2:00 AM)
Most likely: Wins for Spain and Cape Verde. Uruguay third in the group with 2 points.
Swedish nightmare result: Uruguay cruises or - even worse - wins a landslide victory against Spain.
+ Group G
Standings: Egypt 4, Iran 2, Belgium 2, New Zealand 1
Remaining matches: New Zealand–Belgium, Egypt–Iran (Saturday 5:00 AM)
Most likely: Victories for Belgium (heavy favorite) and Egypt (slight favorite).
Swedish nightmare result: Iran scores.
+ Group L
Standings: England 4, Ghana 4, Croatia 3, Panama 0
Remaining matches: Panama–England, Croatia–Ghana (Saturday 11:00 PM)
Most likely: Wins for England and Croatia. Ghana will finish third on 4 points.
Swedish dream result: Ghana wins and Croatia stays at 3 points.
+ Group K
Standings: Colombia 6, Portugal 4, Congo-Kinshasa 1, Uzbekistan 0
Remaining matches: Colombia–Portugal, Congo-Kinshasa–Uzbekistan (Sunday 1:30 AM)
Most likely: Congo-Kinshasa beats Uzbekistan and finishes third on 4 points.
Swedish dream result: Congo-Kinshasa loses points.
+ Group J
Standings: Argentina 6, Austria 3, Algeria 3, Jordan 0
Remaining matches: Jordan–Argentina, Algeria–Austria (Sunday 4:00 AM)
Most likely: A draw so that both Algeria and Austria reach 4 points.
Swedish dream result: Algeria or Austria wins.
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 4 points, -1 goal difference, 3 matches played - qualified for the playoffs.
2. Sweden, 3 points, 0 goal difference, 2 matches played
3. Croatia, 3 points, -1 goal difference, 2 matches played
4. South Korea, 3 points, -1 goal difference, 3 matches played
5. Algeria, 3 points, -1 goal difference, 2 matches played
6. Paraguay, 3 points, -2 goal difference, 2 matches played
7. Scotland, 3 points, -3 goal difference, 3 matches played
8. Cape Verde, 2 points, 0 goal difference, 2 matches played
9. Belgium, 2 points, 0 goal difference, 2 matches played
10. Congo-Kinshasa, 1 point, -1 goal difference, 2 matches played
11. Ecuador, 1 point, -1 goal difference, 2 matches played
12. Senegal, 0 points, -3 goal difference, 2 matches played
Last updated after Thursday night's matches.
