Timetxu

DAY 21 - GAME 2 We've seen co-hosts Canada being knocked out earlier today, how will other co-host Mexico fare? It's quite the change of scenery as they will face off with Costa Rica in Montreal. First Knockout Round Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Canada Lineups: Mexico (Cautious 4-2-2-2 DM Narrow): Ochoa; Sánchez ( 90+3' Corona), Montes ( 90+3' Araujo), Salcedo , Calderón ; Álvarez, Guardado, Rodríguez, Herrera; Vela, Jiménez ( 84' Lozano) Costa Rica (Defensive 4-4-2): Navas; Gamboa, González ( 91' Calvo), Duarte , Oviedo; Campbell, Borges , Guzmán, Ruíz; Geor

DAY 21 - GAME 1 The first stage is over and half of the participating nations have already returned home. We start this knockout bracket with eight games between teams who were good enough to stay in North America, but just not good enough to go straight to the Good Old Round of 16. We're starting of with co-hosts Canada, who are playing a great tournament, facing Morocco and their impenetrable defense. First Knockout Round MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States Lineups: Canada (4-1-2-3 DM Wide): Borjan; Córdova, Henry, James ( 78' Edgar), Davies; Hutchins

FIRST ROUND RECAP Three quarters of the full tournament schedule has been played but it feels like the World Cup is only getting started. Now that the first round is over and all teams have played three games, I thought it would be a nice moment to make a short recap. TOP GOALSCORERS 6 - Lionel Messi (ARG), Harry Kane (ENG) 4 - Álvaro Morata (ESP), Ricardo Rodríguez (SUI) 3 - Paulo Dybala (ARG), Roberto Firmino (BRA), Marco Reus (GER) 2 - Neymar (BRA), Lucas Cavallini (CAN), Duván Zapata (COL), Djaniny (CPV), Mohamed Salah (EGY), John Stones (ENG), James Ma

DAY 18 - GAME 4 It's time for nostalgia, as the final game of the first round will be played. 72 matches were all 48 nations started with an equal chance of going through. 23 have extended their stay in North America, 22 have been eliminated. Nigeria, Iran and Austria are the only three nations awaiting their faith. Well, awaiting... It's Nigeria doing the waiting as Iran and Austria face off in Guadalajara. The winner of that match will go through to the next round. If the encounter ends in a draw, Nigeria will be the dog running away with the bone. Third Round of Pool Play Estadi

That's right! It's win or go home!

DAY 18 - GAME 3 To be able to fill out the schedule more gradually and build some suspense, I moved the game between Ghana and Sweden ahead. It's a very interesting tie as both sides will be through with a draw, but could shoot up the ladder if they manage to clinch a win. Third Round of Pool Play NRG Stadium, Houston, United States Lineups: Ghana (Cautious 4-2-1-3 DM Wide): Ofori; Amartey, Aidoo, Adams, Asamoah ( 23' Rahman); Partey, Duncan, Acquah ( 58' Baba); Ekuban ( 68' Twumasi), Waris, Ayew Sweden (Cautious 4-2-3-1 Narrow): Olsen; Krafth ( 67' Jansson)

DAY 18 - GAME 2 It's an interesting game on the roll as Honduras face Switzerland. Both teams will probably advance with a draw, but a Swiss win could even see them go to the Top 8. A Honduras win might grant the Central Americans a seeded spot in the first knockout round. So a lot of possible outcomes here. Third Round of Pool Play Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de México, Mexico Lineups: Honduras (4-4-2 Diamond Narrow): Morales; Beckeles, J. Palacios, Leverón, Figueroa ; Garrido, Acosta, W. Palacios ( 90+2' Mejía), Toro ( 68' García); Lozano, Quito (65' Elis) Switze

DAY 18 - GAME 1 Yes, you've made it! It's the last game of the first round. Four more games and then we're off to the knockout round. But the bracket is a long way from being filled out, so let's see whether title favourites Argentina can qualify directly to the Round of 16 or whether Iraq have a trick up their sleeve. Third Round of Pool Play Estadio BBVA Bancomer, Monterrey, Mexico Lineups: Iraq (Defensive 4-4-1-1): Gassid; A. Ala'a , Saad ( 90+3' F. Ali), I. Ahmed, Dhurgam ; Y. Ahmed ( 58' Jiloan), Rewan, Safaa ( 80' Karrar), A. Ali ; Humam, Hammadi Argent

Luckily I'm simulating all games independently, so there will be no AI calculating results

Wow, that's a good calculation right there. As an Egyptian fan, you'd need to hope that the game will not end in a draw and then either Switzerland or Argentina has to suffer a historic loss.

DAY 17 - GAME 4 Portugal can qualify for the next round with just the draw, but if they beat Ivory Coast by quite the margin, the Europeans can still clinch a direct passage to the Round of 16. For the Elephants, the objective is simple: win or go home. Third Round of Pool Play NRG Stadium, Houston, United States Lineups: Ivory Coast (Cautious 5-3-2 WB): Gbohouo; Koné, Dabila, Deli, Aurier, Kanon ( 83' Konan); Kessié, Sangaré ( 78' Fofana), Traoré; Zaha, Pépé Portugal (4-1-2-3 DM Wide): Patrício; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; Neves, Fernandes ( 67' Moutinh

DAY 17 - GAME 3 It's co-hosts Mexico's last game of the first round, but they're pretty close to coming back in the next round. All they will need to do is at least draw with Ecuador. Heck, even a small loss might be enough to go through. For the South Americans, however, only a win will be sufficient to stay in the tournament. Third Round of Pool Play Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico Lineups: Mexico (4-4-1-1): Ochoa; Sánchez, Álvarez, Salcedo, Calderón; Dos Santos ( 61' Pizarro), Herrera, Rodríguez, Guardado ( 78' Lozano); Vela ( 78' Corona), Jiménez Ecuado

I'm simulating the games individually, so luckily the AI doesn't know there is another result involved, but I'd reckon FIFA could do a trio of day games and a trio of night games per Hub to make sure there is no watching the other results. But still, only the last two countries would probably be able to calculate anything. I hadn't even thought of this. This would make for a great new World Cup watching tradition!

DAY 17 - GAME 2 It's the last game in the Eastern Hub and another potential table flipper. Australia has been one of the biggest surprises so far with 6 points from two games and they can qualify directly for the Round of 16 with a win. They would need to beat a tough Peruvian side who will probably advance with just the draw. Third Round of Pool Play M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States Lineups: Australia (4-2-3-1 Wide): Ryan; Karacic, Degenek, Jurman, Smith; Mooy, Luongo, Kruse ( 61' Leckie), Rogic, Troisi; Giannou ( 63' Maclaren) Peru (4-2-2-2 DM

I like how you're analyzing this. It gives extra input into how this schedule works. I'm pretty stoked that there are hardly any teams who are playing useless games. And even with the scenario of Peru v Australia where a draw is enough, not going for the win can make a huge difference in who you're facing in the next round.