Why are Turkey and Haiti out of the World Cup? Fifa's new rule change explained

Turkey and Haiti have been eliminated from the World Cup following Fifa's new rule change for how the group stages work.

Despite it appearing mathematically possible for both teams to finish third and potentially advance as one of the best third-place teams, the new rule prevents this.

The governing body has moved to prioritise head-to-head records over goal difference when teams finish level on points, fundamentally altering how group-stage fates are determined.

For Turkey, this means their losses to Australia and Paraguay have mathematically condemned them to bottom place in Group D, regardless of what happens in their remaining fixture against co-hosts USA.

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Likewise, Haiti's losses to Scotland and Brazil mean they will finish bottom of Group C, no matter the result of their final game against Morocco.

Turkey fell 1-0 to Paraguay in their second Group D encounter, having already suffered a 2-0 defeat against Australia in their opening fixture.

Across their two group stage defeats, Vincenzo Montella's men attempted an astonishing 62 shots, including 32 against Paraguay alone.

Many had tipped Turkey as a dark horse heading into the tournament, with expectations high both domestically and internationally that they would advance from Group D.

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Montella cut a dejected figure in his post-match press conference, though he refused to criticise his players.

He said: "I'm sad, but also very proud of my players. They gave their all until the final whistle. Football is like that sometimes.

"I am very, very sorry. There were high expectations on behalf of our nation. Our expectations were also high.

"I am also very sorry on behalf of the TFF [Turkish Football Federation]; I know how they worked. I know how the footballers worked."

He continued: "I have been in football for 35 years; normally it happens once in 50 years, but it happened to us in two matches.

"There are [62] shots in two matches! Not to mention ball possession. Fate was not on our side.

"I told our footballers to hold their heads up. As they sometimes say, there is nothing beyond destiny.

"I always look at the percentage of hard work and determination of our footballers.

"I look at their spirit on the field. All of them had incredible determination. They fought until the end in both matches.

"My support for them will be unconditional. No one held back; everyone worked and fought hard. It didn't work, unfortunately."

Turkey play their final game of the World Cup against the United States on Friday morning at 3am.

Haiti will conclude their World Cup with an 11pm game on June 24 versus Morocco.

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