World Cup Predictions 2026

Group stage (48 teams)

• 12 groups of 4 teams — each team plays 3 matches.
• 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
• No extra time or penalties in the group stage.

Who advances to the knockout stage?

• Top 2 from each group → 24 teams.
• Best 8 third-placed teams (ranked across all groups).
• Total: 32 teams in the knockout stage.

Third-place teams are ranked on the same criteria as group standings. Which third-placed team fills each Round of 32 slot depends on the combination of groups that qualify — FIFA published 495 possible bracket setups (Annex C).

Tie-breakers (equal points)

If two or more teams are level on points, FIFA applies:

1. Head-to-head: Points in matches between tied teams
2. Head-to-head: Goal difference in matches between tied teams
3. Head-to-head: Goals scored in matches between tied teams
4. Points in all group matches
5. Goal difference in all group matches
6. Goals scored in all group matches
7. Fair play points (disciplinary record)
8. FIFA World Ranking

Knockout stage

Single elimination from the Round of 32 through the Final. Tied matches go to extra time, then penalties if still level.

1. Round of 32
2. Round of 16
3. Quarter-final
4. Semi-final
5. Third-place play-off
6. Final

Round of 32 pairings use fixed bracket slots (group winners, runners-up, and composite third-place slots). Later rounds use winners of prior matches (e.g. Winner Match 73).