How It Works

Tipping rules and World Cup 2026 format explained

Tipping

How to Tip

›Log in with your player name and PIN from the nav bar

›Head to the Tipping page to see all group stage matches

›For each match, pick Team A, Team B, or Draw

›Tips lock automatically once a result is entered — tip early!

›You can change your tip any time before the match result is recorded

Points System

Correct Win

Pick the winning team

Correct Draw

Predict draw

Wrong Tip

No points

›Draws are worth 2 points — they're harder to predict, so they're rewarded more

›Points only appear on the leaderboard once match results are entered

›Only group stage matches are available for tipping

Pricing

Participation in each competition is $10.00 AUD per entry. The Sweepstake and Tipping are treated as separate competitions — entering both requires a total of $20.00 AUD.

›Payment must be received no later than 4 June 2026 — one week before the tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026

›Entries will not be confirmed until payment has been received

›Payments are non-refundable once the competition has commenced

World Cup 2026 Format

Group Stage Structure

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams for the first time, split across 12 groups of 4 teams each.

›12 groups of 4 teams each

›3 matches per team in the group stage

›Standard points: 3 for win, 1 for draw, 0 for loss

›Tiebreaker order: Points → Head-to-head record → Goal difference → Goals scored → Team conduct → FIFA ranking

›New for 2026: Head-to-head replaces goal difference as first tiebreaker

Qualification to Knockout

12 Group Winners

1st place team from each of the 12 groups automatically qualifies

12 Group Runners-Up

2nd place team from each of the 12 groups automatically qualifies

Best 8 Third-Place Teams

Top 8 of the 12 third-place teams ranked by points, head-to-head, GD, GF, conduct, FIFA ranking

✔

Total: 32 teams advance

4 third-place teams are eliminated at the group stage

Knockout Schedule

›Round of 32:June 28 – July 3

›Round of 16:July 4 – 7

›Quarter-finals:July 9 – 11

›Semi-finals:July 14 – 15

›Third place play-off:July 18, Miami

›Final:July 19, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

›All knockout matches go to extra time then penalties if level after 90 mins

Round of 32 Bracket Logic

The 16 fixed matches are pre-set, with group winners and runners-up in predetermined slots. Third-place team positions depend on which 8 groups produce qualifiers.

#73Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B

#74Winner Group E vs Best 3rd A/B/C/D/F

#75Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group C

#76Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group F

#77Winner Group I vs Best 3rd C/D/F/G/H

#78Runner-up Group E vs Runner-up Group I

#79Winner Group A vs Best 3rd C/E/F/H/I

#80Winner Group L vs Best 3rd E/H/I/J/K

#81Winner Group D vs Best 3rd B/E/F/I/J

#82Winner Group G vs Best 3rd A/E/H/I/J

#83Runner-up Group K vs Runner-up Group L

#84Winner Group H vs Runner-up Group J

#85Winner Group B vs Best 3rd E/F/G/I/J

#86Winner Group J vs Runner-up Group H

#87Winner Group K vs Best 3rd D/E/I/J/L

#88Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group G