Overview
When setting up a World Cup Bracket contest, commissioners can configure how many points are awarded for correct Group Stage predictions. Here's what to expect and how to set it up.
How Group Stage Scoring Works
Members predict the finishing position of each team within their group. After the Group Stage concludes, points are awarded for each team a member ranked correctly.
For example, if a member correctly predicted that a team would finish 1st in their group, they earn the configured point value for that correct ranking. The same applies for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place predictions.
The 2026 World Cup has 12 groups of 4 teams (Groups A–L). At 1 point per correct ranking, the maximum possible Group Stage score is 48 points.
How to Configure Group Stage Scoring
Log into your Splash Sports account and navigate to Commissioner → Create a Contest.
Select World Cup Bracket as your contest type.
In the contest setup flow, toggle the Group Stage on if you want to include it (it can also be excluded for a Knockout Stage only contest).
Set the point value per correct ranking. This applies uniformly across all 12 groups — every correct prediction earns this value regardless of which group or which position.
Complete the rest of your contest settings and publish.
Commissioner Tips
Most commissioners include the Group Stage — it adds more pick variation among members and keeps the contest engaging from day one.
Higher point values per ranking make the Group Stage a bigger portion of the total score — useful if you want Group Stage performance to heavily influence the overall standings.
Lower point values make the Knockout Stage picks the primary scoring driver, with the Group Stage serving as a tiebreaker of sorts.
When Do Members Submit Group Stage Picks?
Members submit their Group Stage predictions before the Group Stage begins on June 11, 2026. Picks lock when the first match kicks off. Once submitted, Group Stage predictions cannot be changed.