Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

There has been a subtle change in the way Fifa is determining league tables for the 2026 World Cup - and it might have a huge impact on the final group matches.

For the first time at a World Cup, Fifa is using head-to-head records instead of group goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points.

And the change is already being felt, with Haiti and Turkey both going out of the World Cup despite only being three points behind the team in third.

Co-hosts Mexico and the United States, meanwhile, are guaranteed to top their groups with a game to spare.

Until 1966, goal ratio was used to separate teams - this involved dividing a team's goals scored by goals conceded. In 1970, Fifa moved to goal difference - until now.

It brings Fifa in line with Uefa, which has always given priority to the results between teams.

The logic is that assessing the direct performance of two teams is fairer, because it removes freak results - such as Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao.

Others say that taking overall goal difference is better as that compares the total record in the group.

Fifa first introduced the new system at last year's Club World Cup, where Flamengo won Group D ahead of eventual tournament winners Chelsea after two matches.

Either Germany or Ivory Coast will reach the knockout stage with a win.

Due to the initial head-to-head criteria, Germany will be guaranteed top spot in Group E if they win AND Ecuador fail to beat Curacao. Ivory Coast will finish top if they win AND Curacao fail to beat Ecuador.

For the first time at a World Cup, Fifa is using head-to-head records instead of group goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points.

It is not every day that the return of a World Cup-winning star causes splits opinion - but that has been the case with Manuel Neuer.

The 40-year-old was recalled to the national team for the World Cup after his impressive form for Bundesliga winners and Champions League semi-finalists Bayern Munich.

That is despite the fact he retired from international duty back in 2024 and did not play any part in Germany’s qualifying campaign for this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His return has come at the expense of Hoffenheim shot-stopper Oliver Baumann, who - after being dropped despite being a mainstay during qualifying - said it was “not exactly cool” as he prepares to warm the bench for the second consecutive game.

It is the fifth World Cup finals Neuer has played in, but his return has somewhat caused a divide in Germany.

For that reason, all eyes will be on 40-year-old when he takes to the pitch in a short while.

Image source, Getty Images

Julian Nagelsmann has named an unchanged Germany starting line-up from the 7-1 win against Curacao.

Kai Havertz leads their line with Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Florian Wirtz in support as Deniz Undav, who bagged a goal and two assists as substitute in their opener, remains on the bench.

Germany XI: Neuer, Brown, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Wirtz, Musiala, Sane, Havertz.

Subs: Rudiger, Anton, Goretzka, Leweling, Woltemade, Baumann, Gross, Beier, Stiller, Amiri, Nubel, Raum, Thiaw, Ouedraogo, Undav.

Emerse Fae has rang five changes to his Ivory Coast side with Manchester United winger Amad Diallo starting after coming off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner against Ecuador.

Odilon Kossounou, Ibrahim Sangare, Christ Inao Oulai and Ange Bonny also come in as Guela Doue, Seko Fofana, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pepe and Bazoumana Toure drop out.

Ivory Coast XI: Yahia Fofana, Konan, Agbadou, Kossounou, Singo, Yan Diomande, Sangare, Kessie, Diallo, Inao Oulai, Bonny.

Subs: Ousmane Diomande, Seri, Seko Fofana, Adingra, Wahi, Operi, Diakite, Kone, Doue, Pepe, Ndicka, Guessand, Lafont, Toure, Guiagon.

And we’re back.

In the fourth and final match of the day, Germany take on Ivory Coast in Group E.

Both teams head into the fixture in Toronto, Canada, after winning their opening game, with Germany thrashing Curacao 7-1 and Ivory Coast earning a late a 1-0 win against Ecuador.

This is the first meeting between the two sides at a World Cup, which could go some way to deciding who tops Group E.

Let's get this show on the road with some team news, shall we?

Image source, Getty Images