World Cup group B permutations: Spain vs. Morocco and Iran vs. Portugal

With one round of games left to play in the group stage six teams have qualified for the last 16 stage at the World Cup while eight are already eliminated.

Group B’s situation is somewhat complicated in terms of who can go through, the BBC reports. Spain, Portugal and Iran can all still qualify but Morocco are eliminated.

So it’s all to play for today, says Fifa.com, as Spain take on Morocco and Iran face Portugal. Both matches kick off at 7pm.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Spain and Portugal are level on four points and Iran are one point behind.

Group B permutations

Fifa.com explains the permutations in group B:

• If Spain and Portugal avoid defeat they both qualify
• Iran qualify with a win against Portugal, or if they draw and Spain lose by more than a goal
• Portugal will qualify with a draw against Iran

Spain vs. Morocco

• When: Monday 25 June
• Kick-off time: 7pm
• Where: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
• TV channel: live on BBC One

Spain coach Fernando Hierro has called on his team to concentrate on beating Morocco and not to worry about what is happening between Portugal and Iran.

A victory for Spain might still not secure them top spot in group B and Hierro told The Guardian: “Our obligation is to get the three points and if we are top of the group so much the better, perfect. We have to play well, win and forget what is happening in the other game. We have enough to worry about without worrying about other things.

“Mathematically we are not through, so we have to treat this match with the importance that it has on its own. This is our third game and right now there is nothing beyond that for us. Hopefully we can have a fourth, and a fifth, a sixth, a seventh.”

Sky Sports reports that Spain’s reserve keeper Pepe Reina could miss the game because of injury but Nacho Monreal looks ready to be on the bench. Morocco have no injury concerns.

Spain vs. Morocco predicted starting XIs

How the teams could line up at the Kaliningrad Stadium, according to Fifa.com:

• Spain (4-4-2): David de Gea; Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal; Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Isco, David Silva; Diego Costa, Iago Aspas
• Morocco (4-5-1): Monir El Kajoui; Achraf Hakimi, Ghanem Saiss, Mehdi Benatia, Hamza Mendyl; Karim El Ahmadi, Hakim Ziyach, Mbark Boussoufa, Younes Belhanda, Noureddine Amrabat; Khalid Boutaib

Iran vs. Portugal

• When: Monday 25 June
• Kick-off time: 7pm
• Where: Mordovia Arena, Saransk
• TV channel: live on BBC Four

Portugal go into the game knowing a draw will be enough to send them through but Iran will be looking to cause one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup history. Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz could be their “wildcard” tonight, says the BBC.

Defender Ehsan Hajsafi injured a thigh in the match against Spain and could miss out. Milad Mohammadi may come in to replace Hajsafi.

Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho has been ill and is a doubt.

Iran vs. Portugal predicted starting XIs

How the teams could line up at the Mordovia Arena, according to Fifa.com:

• Iran (4-5-1): Ali Beiranvand; Ehsan Haji Safi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Ramin Rezaeian, Majid Hosseini; Saeid Ezatolahi, Vahid Amiri, Omid Ebrahimi, Karim Ansarifard, Mehdi Taremi; Sardar Azmoun
• Portugal (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Cedric Soares, William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Joao Mario; Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo