The World Cup group stages will come to an end this week after 48 games ahead of the highly-anticipated knockout stages. Following six consecutive days of four games, the scheduling of the tournament changes from today.
Since Tuesday, November 22, there have been four games taking place at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. However, with the final group games upon us, that will no longer be the case. Today, Group A and Group B round off their group campaign followed by the remaining six groups.
Group A's final games will both take place at 3pm and England's group follows the double header with two games at 7pm. The timing difference comes to ensure both games take place at the same time.
READ MORE: Why final round of World Cup group fixtures are played at the same time
Final group games have always taken place at the same time for added excitement and it's a tradition that has followed through this year. Today, the Netherlands and Ecuador are joint-leaders at the top of Group A on four points. Senegal remain in the picture on three points and can secure a spot in the knockout stages with victory over Ecuador.
Yesterday's four games was the last time we will witness four games taking place at different times. Up until Friday, there will be four games on TV, but with two at 3pm and the other two at 7pm.
In the knockout rounds, games don't take place at the same time. For example, the round of 16 has two games per day at 3pm and 7pm for four straight days before the quarter-finals repeat the timings of 3pm and 7pm on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
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