Why are the final World Cup matches of the group stage played at the same time? Simultaneous kickoffs explained

One of the beauties of the FIFA World Cup is how you can catch every single match without having to choose between them. 

That is until the closing fixtures of the group stage, where both matches in each group kickoff at exactly the same time.

We've now reached that point in the World Cup with all teams having played their first two matches and many now have one final chance to qualify for the knockouts.

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Why do World Cup final group matches kickoff at the same time?

The final group stage fixtures are played at exactly the same time to ensure that both matches are fully contested by both teams. 

If only one match remains in a World Cup group, the two teams playing will already know exactly what they need to qualify. This can lead to matches being played in an unsporting manner, where teams can agree to settle for a result that benefits them both. 

The English Premier League employs the same rule. All matches on the final weekend are played at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday for precisely the same reason. 

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When did the World Cup change the kickoffs to be at the same time? 

The final fixtures of the group stages weren't always played simultaneously. It took a controversial exploitation of circumstances in the 1982 World Cup in Spain to force FIFA into making a rule change.

The infamous fixture took place at El Molinon stadium in Gijon, and has come to be known as the "Disgrace of Gijón".

West Germany and Austria went into the game knowing that victory by one or two goals for West Germany would qualify both teams from Group 2, at the expense of Algeria who played their final group game a day earlier.

West Germany took the lead inside the first 10 minutes of the match, which then descended into a largely non-competitive affair with neither side making a concerted effort to score.

The game finished 1-0 meaning Algeria were eliminated, and while FIFA ruled that no rules had been broken the match led to a revised group system in future tournaments with the final two games in each group played simultaneously.

World Cup 2022 final group matches schedule

World Cup Group A final table

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group A results and fixtures

World Cup Group B final table

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group B results and fixtures

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World Cup Group C table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group C match schedule

World Cup Group D table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group D match schedule

World Cup Group E table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group E match schedule

World Cup Group F table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group F match schedule

World Cup Group G table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group G match schedule

World Cup Group H table & fixtures

• Q = Qualified to Round of 16
• E = Eliminated

Group H match schedule