Group stage formats and the dead-rubber problem

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A group of five in which two sides qualify will, more often than not, be decided before the last round is played.

Simultaneous final matches

Playing the last round of fixtures at the same time is the cheapest fix available. It removes the possibility of a side knowing exactly what result suits it before it walks out.

The key points

• Simultaneous final-round matches remove calculated results
• Larger groups reduce the cost of one defeat
• Fewer teams per group produces more decisive fixtures

The case against bigger groups

Larger groups produce more matches and fewer meaningful ones. They also protect the bigger sides from a single bad day, which is either a feature or a flaw depending on who is asked.

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