"The World Cup draw on Friday will separate 48 teams (and placeholders) into 12 groups of four teams each. Each team will play three games in the group stage, one against every team in its group. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage, as in previous years. But the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams will create an additional round of knockout matches."
"That means not only will all 12 group winners and 12 second-placed teams advance, but also the eight best third-placed teams. The specific matchups for the round of 32 will depend on which groups the eight third-placed teams emerge from."
"If three or more teams finish equal on group-stage points, the following tiebreakers are applied in order. 1. Most points obtained in the group matches played between the teams concerned 2. Superior goal difference in the group matches played between the teams concerned 3. Most goals scored in the group matches played between the teams concerned If any teams remain tied, the same tiebreakers are applied again, exclusively to the matches between those teams. From there, ties are broken by the following criteria. These tiebreakers are also the first ones applicable to ties between just two teams. 4. Superior goal difference in all group matches 5. Most goals scored in all group matches 6. Highest team conduct ("
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. Each team will play three group-stage matches, one versus each group opponent. The top two teams from each group advance, joined by the eight best third-placed teams, producing a round of 32. Knockout matchups will depend on which groups yield the advancing third-placed teams. Knockout matches are single-elimination, with 30 minutes of extra time if tied after 90 minutes, followed by a penalty shootout if still level. Group-stage tiebreakers prioritize head-to-head points, goal difference, and goals scored, then overall group performance and team conduct.
Read at ESPN.com
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