Rules & Scoring
How the prediction game works and how points are awarded.
How it works
Predict the outcome of the FIFA World Cup 2026 before the tournament begins. Your predictions are scored against the actual results.
- Predict the final standing (1st–4th) of each group
- Select which 8 third-placed teams qualify
- Predict knockout match winners through to the Final
Group predictions
For each of the 12 groups (A–L), predict the final ranking of all 4 teams. The top 2 teams in each group qualify automatically.
- Rank all 4 teams from 1st to 4th
- Points are awarded for exact positions and correct qualifiers
- Bonus points if you get the entire group order exactly right
| Rule | Points |
|---|---|
| All 4 group positions predicted exactly correct | +10 |
| Individual team in the exact predicted group position | +3 |
| Team finishes top 2 in the group (regardless of exact position) | +2 |
| Correctly identified the third-placed team | +2 |
| Correctly identified the fourth-placed team | +1 |
Third-place qualification
After the group stage, the 8 best third-placed teams (out of 12) advance to the Round of 32.
- Select which 8 third-placed teams qualify
- Bracket positions are assigned automatically using the official FIFA combination table (495 possible combinations)
- The combination depends on which groups the qualifying teams come from
| Rule | Points |
|---|---|
| Correctly predicted a third-placed team qualifies for knockout | +3 |
| Third-placed team assigned to the correct qualifier slot | +5 |
Knockout bracket
The bracket starts at the Round of 32 (16 matches) and progresses through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-Place Match, and Final.
- Tap a team to predict the winner of each match
- Winners automatically advance to the next round
- Changing an earlier prediction resets downstream matches that are affected
- The bracket updates in real-time as you make predictions
| Rule | Points |
|---|---|
| Predicted the exact winner of a specific knockout match | +3 |
| Team advances from Round of 32 (regardless of bracket path) | +2 |
| Team advances from Round of 16 (regardless of bracket path) | +3 |
| Team reaches the quarterfinals | +5 |
| Team reaches the semifinals | +8 |
| Team reaches the final | +12 |
| Correctly predicted the tournament winner | +20 |
| Correctly predicted the runner-up | +10 |
Scoring philosophy
The scoring system rewards both precision and general football knowledge:
- Exact predictions earn the most points (getting the exact group order or picking the right match winner)
- Partial credit is awarded for getting qualifiers right even if their exact position is wrong
- Deep runs are worth more — correctly predicting a team reaches the Final earns more than a Round of 32 win
- Champion prediction is the single highest-value pick
Tournament format
- 48 teams in 12 groups (A–L)
- 4 teams per group
- Top 2 from each group + best 8 third-placed teams qualify
- Round of 32 → Round of 16 → QF → SF → 3rd Place + Final
- 104 total matches