FIFA out with regulations for resolving qualification for knock out stages

With the group stage matches of the ongoing World Cup in Brazil coming to an end, FIFA says it is reminding participating teams of its regulations concerning qualification for Round of 16.
According to the world soccer governing body, Article 41.5 of the competition’s regulations will apply at this stage.
FIFA said on Tuesday that the ranking of each team in each group shall be determined as follows: “The regulation specify that greatest number of points obtained in all group matches, the goal difference in all group matches as well as the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
“If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the three criteria, their ranking shall be determined.”
FIFA noted that that the greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; the goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned will be the determinants for qualification for the knockout stage..
“And the greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned, and where else fails to determine, the organisers would draw lots.”
FIFA also noted that if the ranking needed to be determined by drawing of lots, the draw would take place at the press conference room of Maracanã Stadium, Rio Janeiro, 90 minutes after the final whistle of the matches in the group concerned.
The draw will be undertaken by a member of the FIFA Organising Committee for the 2014 FIFA World Cup from a neutral country.