Overview
The World Cup Bracket commissioner controls the point values for both the Group Stage and Knockout Stage. Here's how scoring works and what the 2026 defaults are.
Group Stage Scoring
In the Group Stage, points are awarded for each correct team ranking within a group. If a member correctly predicts that Team A finishes 1st, Team B finishes 2nd, etc., they earn points for each correct placement.
There are 12 groups of 4 teams in 2026, for a total of 48 possible rankings to predict.
Point values per correct ranking are set by the commissioner and apply equally across all groups.
Example: At 1 point per correct ranking, a perfect Group Stage score is 48 points.
Knockout Stage Scoring
In the Knockout Stage, points are awarded for each correct game pick. Higher rounds are worth more points by default. The 2026 default point values are:
Round of 32: 1 point per correct pick (16 games)
Round of 16: 2 points per correct pick (8 games)
Quarterfinals: 4 points per correct pick (4 games)
Semifinals: 6 points per correct pick (2 games)
Final: 8 points per correct pick (1 game)
All of these values can be adjusted by the commissioner before the contest begins.
Tiebreaker
If two or more members finish with the same total points, the tiebreaker determines the winner. Members predict the total number of goals scored across all 31 knockout stage games. The member whose prediction is closest to the actual total wins the tiebreaker.
What If My Contest Is Knockout Stage Only?
If the commissioner has toggled off the Group Stage, members only score points in the knockout bracket. Group Stage columns will not appear on the leaderboard, and the maximum possible score is based solely on the 5 knockout rounds.
What Happens If I Miss a Pick?
Missed picks earn 0 points for that game. There is no penalty beyond not earning points — you remain in the contest.
Why Do I Pick Teams After the Group Stage?
Knockout Stage brackets are filled out after the Group Stage concludes using the actual teams that qualified — not those you predicted to advance. This ensures bracket picks are based on real results, not predictions.