Group Standings & Match Schedule Group Stage
How the World Cup 2026 Group Stage Works
The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces a new expanded format, featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. This marks the first time the tournament uses this format, creating more matches and more opportunities for nations to compete on the world stage.
In each group, all four teams play a round-robin format, facing each other once. A win earns 3 points, a draw earns 1 point, and a loss earns 0 points. After all group matches are played, the teams are ranked by total points. If two or more teams are level on points, FIFA uses tiebreakers in this order: goal difference across all group matches, total goals scored, head-to-head points between the tied teams, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, and fair play conduct (fewer yellow/red cards).
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups automatically qualify for the knockout stage. They are joined by the 8 best third-placed teams (determined by points, goal difference, and goals scored), making a 32-team Round of 32. This format ensures that more teams remain competitive deeper into the tournament, unlike previous editions where third-placed teams were eliminated entirely. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026, featuring 72 matches across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.