Tournament Format

World Cup 2026 Format & Tiebreakers Explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four teams.

Each team plays three group stage matches.

The top teams from each group advance to the knockout stage — but how teams are ranked can be confusing, especially when points are level.

Group Stage Points System

In the group stage:

• Win = 3 points
• Draw = 1 point
• Loss = 0 points

Teams are ranked based on total points after all three matches are played.

What Happens If Teams Finish Level on Points?

If two or more teams have the same number of points, official tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Goal Difference

The first tiebreaker is goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded).

The team with the higher goal difference ranks higher.

2. Goals Scored

If goal difference is equal, the team that has scored more goals ranks higher.

3. Head-to-Head Record

If teams are still level, results between the tied teams are considered:

• Points in head-to-head matches
• Goal difference in head-to-head matches
• Goals scored in head-to-head matches

4. Fair Play Points

If teams remain tied, disciplinary records may be used (yellow/red cards).

5. Drawing of Lots

In extremely rare cases, positions can be decided by drawing lots.

Why Group Position Matters

Finishing first or second in the group determines:

• Which side of the knockout bracket a team enters
• Which opponent they face in the Round of 32
• Their potential quarter-final and semi-final path

Even a single goal can dramatically change a team's route to the final.

That's why planning the route based on group finishing position can be so important.

How Third-Place Qualification Works

In expanded tournaments, some third-place teams may qualify depending on overall ranking across groups.

These scenarios can create multiple possible knockout paths.

MyTourneyTime allows you to explore different finishing positions and see how the bracket changes.

Plan Your Route

You can use the MyTourneyTime World Cup 2026 Route Planner to:

• Select your team
• Choose their group finishing position
• See every potential knockout match
• View fixtures in your local time zone