⚽ Basic Match Rules

The 2026 FIFA World Cup follows the current Laws of the Game issued by IFAB (International Football Association Board), combined with specific tournament regulations. Below are the core match rules:

• Match duration: Each match consists of 90 minutes of regular time, divided into two halves of 45 minutes, with a half-time interval not exceeding 15 minutes.
• Players per team: 11 players (including 1 goalkeeper). The substitution list allows up to 15 substitutes, with a maximum of 5 substitutions during regular time (a 6th substitution is permitted if the match goes to extra time).
• Offside rule: Strict enforcement with Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) assisting match officials.
• VAR (Video Assistant Referee): The tournament fully implements VAR for goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity.
• Substitution windows: Each team has up to 3 substitution breaks during regular time (half-time changes do not count as a break); one extra break is granted during extra time.
• Ball & field dimensions: Official FIFA Quality Pro match ball, pitch length 100–110m, width 64–75m.

📋 Group Stage Rules · 48‑Team Era

The 2026 World Cup group stage adopts 12 groups of 4 teams each, a historic revamp. The group stage determines which teams advance to the knockout phase.

• Draw & Seeding: 48 teams are divided into 4 pots based on FIFA rankings. The draw creates 12 groups (A to L), each featuring one team from each pot, applying confederation avoidance (max 2 European teams per group).
• Format: Round-robin within each group. Every team plays three matches (one against each group opponent). Total of 6 matches per group → 72 group matches overall.
• Advancement criteria: The top two teams from each group advance (24 teams), plus the 8 best third‑placed teams also qualify for the knockout stage, making a total of 32 teams entering the Round of 32.
• Match points: Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 point, Loss = 0 points (90 minutes only).
• Fair Play & tie‑breakers: If teams are level on points, the detailed ranking criteria (goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head, etc.) are applied (see section 5).

🏆 Knockout Stage Rules · Single‑elimination

Starting from the Round of 32 (1/16 finals), the tournament enters single‑match knockout – winner takes all. Rounds: Round of 32 → Round of 16 → Quarter‑finals → Semi‑finals → Third‑place play‑off → Final.

• Match pairings: A predetermined bracket based on group stage outcomes (e.g., group winner vs. a third‑placed team / runner‑up cross‑pairings). FIFA set the bracket to maintain balanced halves before the tournament.
• Winning a match: If tied after 90 minutes, extra time (30 minutes) is played; if still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
• Round of 32 (1/16 finals): The new round introduced for the 48‑team format. 32 qualified teams battle for a place in the Round of 16.
• Subsequent rounds: Round of 16 → Quarter‑finals → Semi‑finals → Final (plus third‑place match). All rounds are single leg at neutral venues.
• Yellow card accumulation: A player suspended for accumulating 2 yellow cards in the knockout stage. Yellow cards are not carried to the final (reset after the semi‑finals), but red‑card suspensions apply fully.

⏱️ Extra Time & Penalty Shootout Rules

When a knockout match is level at the end of regular time, extra time and (if needed) a penalty shootout determine the winner. No extra time in group stage matches (draws give 1 point each).

• Duration & structure: Extra time consists of two 15‑minute halves, with a brief changeover break (approx. 1 minute).
• Additional substitution: If a team has not used all 5 regular‑time substitutions, they are granted 1 extra substitution in extra time (total maximum 6); no further changes if the shootout takes place.
• Concussion substitute: According to IFAB rules, each team may use one concussion substitute per match, not counted in the 5‑substitution limit.
• Result after extra time: If scores remain level after 30 minutes, a penalty shootout follows.

• Procedure: Teams take alternating kicks. Each team initially takes 5 penalties (taken by eligible players on the field or eligible substitutes). If still tied after 5 rounds, sudden death applies (one kick each until a winner emerges).
• Who can take penalties: All players on the pitch at the end of extra time, plus any eligible substitutes not previously excluded. Goalkeepers may take penalties; injured players unable to continue are excluded.
• Goalkeeper conduct: The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, not moving forward unfairly – VAR monitors infringements.
• Coin toss: The referee tosses a coin to decide which goal the shootout takes place at and which team kicks first.

📊 Points & Ranking Rules · Detailed Tie‑breakers

Group stage standings and the selection of the 8 best third‑placed teams rely on a strict point‑based hierarchy. Knockout bracket positions also depend on group rankings.

• 1. Points: Higher points rank first.
• 2. Goal difference: Goals scored minus goals conceded in all group matches.
• 3. Goals scored: Total goals scored in group matches.
• 4. Head‑to‑head points: Points obtained in matches between tied teams.
• 5. Head‑to‑head goal difference: Goal difference in matches between tied teams.
• 6. Head‑to‑head goals scored: Goals scored in matches between tied teams.
• 7. Fair play points: Based on yellow/red cards: -1 per yellow; -3 for two yellows → red; -4 for direct red; -5 for yellow then direct red. Lower deduction ranks higher.
• 8. Drawing of lots: If all criteria are identical, FIFA Organising Committee conducts a draw.

• Among all 12 third‑placed teams, the top 8 qualify based on: ① Points > ② Goal difference > ③ Goals scored > ④ Fair play points > ⑤ Drawing of lots. No head‑to‑head applies (teams from different groups).

• The knockout bracket follows a predetermined structure to avoid group‑stage rematches in the Round of 32 (typically group winners vs. third‑placed teams / cross between groups). Final bracket confirmed after group stage concludes.
• Fair play points also affect player suspensions and are critical for group tie‑breakers.