2026 World Cup: Haiti and Turkiye Eliminated Early Due To FIFA Rule Change

He joined in April 2024, having previously worked at VAVEL as Deputy Editor-in-Chief, where he produced a variety of content, including pieces from press conferences and games. He also won an award for his role as lead editor for the Women's Football section of the online newspaper.

Covering football all across Europe, he has worked at stadiums such as Anfield, Old Trafford, and Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, as well as having reported at both the 2023 men's and women's Champions League finals in Eindhoven and Istanbul.

He is infatuated with every aspect of football, but likes other sports as well, being an avid coffee-desperate Buffalo Bills supporter from across the pond and a darts' newbie. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Two World Cup nations have been eliminated from this summer's tournament early due to a little-known rule, baffling many fans as both sides still appear, at least on paper, to have a mathematical chance of reaching the Round of 32.

Haiti were the first to suffer that fate after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Group C, with Turkiye eliminated following their 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Group D later on in Friday night's action.

On the surface, it's easier than ever to qualify for the knockout stage following the tournament's expansion to 48 teams. The top two nations in each group progress automatically, while the eight best third-placed finishers also advance.

With both Haiti and Turkiye sitting just three points off those qualification places - albeit with a daunting route still ahead of them - their elimination has come as a surprise. However, a change to FIFA's rules means neither nation can progress, even in the event of a miraculous turnaround.

As per talkSPORT, a rule change means Haiti and Turkiye can finish no higher than fourth in their respective groups despite each having one match left to play and just three points separating them from third place. At the 2026 World Cup, if two or more teams finish a group level on points, they are not separated by goal difference.

Instead, the first tiebreaker is a head-to-head record against the other sides involved - starting with points gained, followed by goal difference, then goals scored. After losing their first two games, the only team Haiti can still catch is Scotland - but having lost to them in their opening match, they cannot finish above them in third.

USA are now 'unofficial world champions' - a label that has been passed from nation to nation since 1967.

It’s a similar situation for Turkiye, who have lost to each of the two teams three points ahead of them: Australia and Paraguay. As a result, there is only pride left to play for when Haiti and Turkiye face Morocco and the USA respectively in their final group matches.

Mexico were the first to qualify for the next stage of this summer's showpiece tournament, making it two wins from two by beating South Korea 1-0 in Group A. It's been an impressive start for the Latin American hosts, who had opened their account with a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa a week prior, meaning they are yet to concede.

Fellow co-hosts the USA then followed them into the last 32 thanks to their 2-0 Group D victory over Australia. It's only the second time the Stars and Stripes have ever won back-to-back World Cup matches, and their predicted path to the semi-finals now looks very favourable as Mauricio Pochettino leads them into a promising new dawn.