How it works
The Group Stage ยท World Cup 2026
๐ Point values are hidden until you're logged inโ and may still be tweaked before kick-off. Sign in to see exactly what everything's worth.
You don't pick a team โ the machine deals you one. From there it's three ways to rack up points: how your drawn squad does, how sharp your pre-tournament calls are, and how much you throw yourself into it. Highest total when the dust settles wins.
๐ฐSweepstakes
The machine deals you a squad. Whatever they do on the pitch, you score.
๐ฎPredictions
Call it before kickoff โ winners, scorers, shocks. Right calls bank points.
๐Show up
Wear the shirt, watch with the group, eat and drink like your nations.
Two separate lanes. Your assigned squad doing things and your forecasts coming true never cancel out โ the same moment can pay twice. (Your team reaches the final andyou called them to win? That's two lots of points.)
Your squad
When predictions lock, you spin once to reveal four picks โ drawn at random from the pools:
โญA heavyweightOne of the 24 top-ranked nations.
๐ดAn underdogOne of the 24 long shots.
๐ฅพAn attackerA star forward to bang them in.
๐งคA keeperA No.1 to keep them out.
๐ฐ Sweepstakes points
Your teams
Whatever your two nations do out on the pitch, you score. Your underdog pays more โ long shots are where the glory is.
Group-stage winYour nation wins a group game.
Group-stage drawYour nation shares the spoils.
Into the knockouts (and beyond)Points grow each round reached โ Last 32 โ Last 16 โ Quarter โ Semi โ Final.
Uno reverseWhen your underdog loses, you bank 3 points per goal of the defeat.
Park the busYour underdog keeps a clean sheet against a top-24 side.
Self-sabotageA player on one of your nations scores an own goal.
Wooden spoonOne of your nations finishes with the tournament's worst goal difference.
Your players
Your attacker and keeper score wherever they're playing. Goals and saves count in regular and extra time only โ penalty shootouts don't count.
Attacker โ open-play goalFrom the run of play.
Attacker โ free-kick goalStraight from a set-piece.
Keeper โ saveEach save made in normal play.
Keeper โ penalty saveDenied from the spot during the match (not shootouts).
๐ฎ Prediction points
The honours
Call the big winners before a ball is kicked.
๐The chocolatesPick the tournament winner.
๐ฅNo cigarPick the runner-up.
๐Golden bootPick the top scorer.
๐
Golden ballPick the player of the tournament.
๐งคGolden glovePick the best goalkeeper.
๐Young playerPick the best under-21.
The wildcards
๐คกBiggest blunderName the player who'll have the worst moment of the tournament.
๐จThug lifeName the most-booked player.
๐ฎGang lifeName the most-booked team.
โ๏ธJet laggardsPick a top-10 side to crash out in the group stage.
๐ขOver / underOver or under 274.5 total goals across the tournament. All goals in regular and extra time count, including penalties โ but not penalty shootouts.
๐ Home heroWhich host โ ๐บ๐ธ ๐ฒ๐ฝ ๐จ๐ฆ โ goes the furthest.
๐ก๏ธGiant slayerCall an underdog to beat a heavyweight in the groups.
๐Pitch invadersGuess the number of streakers. Closest wins.
โค๏ธSoft spotSecretly nominate your real favourite (any of the 48). How it scores is strictly classified โ you'll find out at the final whistle. ๐คซ
๐ Social points
Showing up
It's not all Mbappรฉ and minnows. Turning up and getting behind it scores too โ your commissioner has the final say on these.
SocialistAttending a prearranged live event.
PublicistWatching a group-stage game at the pub (photo proof).
AtmospheristWatching a knockout game at the pub.
Suited upWatching wearing your team jersey.
Hand-me-downsWatching at home in team colours (judged by commissioner).
Cups of the worldDrinking a beer from a T2 nation while watching (once per game).
GeosnackerEating food from a T2 nation while watching (once per game).
Panini pointsBring a packet of Panini stickers to an in-person event.
Plus ad-hoc challengesOn-the-day dares set by your commissioner โ guess the anthem, name the bench, whatever they dream up.
How points land
Match results and your teams' progress score automatically from the live World Cup feed. Player stats, social points and on-the-day challenges are awarded by your league commissioner. Predictions are graded once the real answer is known. Everything lands on the leaderboard as one running total โ check back often, the table moves fast.