POOL RULES
In the same pool you score points in two different ways: from each match's result and from correctly predicting which teams advance in the tournament.
1. Predict each match
Set the score you think will end up. You can change it up to 1 hour before each match.
2. Build your bracket
Pick which teams advance in each round. This locks 10 min before the first match and cannot be changed.
3. Earn points
Every hit counts. Knockout stages are worth a lot more — a hit in the Final can turn it all around.
How does it work?
Before the World Cup starts, you'll make your predictions. You score points for each correct hit. The further along the stage, the more points are at stake. When the tournament ends, whoever has the most points wins.
Important Deadlines
Pay attention to these cut-off times so you don't miss out.
You can edit each match prediction up to:
You must complete all your team picks by:
Heads up! Once your team predictions are locked, you can't change them even if you change your mind during the tournament.
Result Points
Predict each match's score
Predict who wins (or if there's a draw) and the exact score. Goal points only count if you got the result right (home win, draw or away win).
| Stage | Result* | + Goals (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 2 pts | +1 pt |
| Round of 32 | 4 pts | +2 pt |
| Round of 16 | 8 pts | +4 pt |
| Quarterfinals | 16 pts | +8 pt |
| Semifinals | 32 pts | +16 pt |
| Final | 128 pts | +64 pt |
*Result: Correctly picking who wins (home or away) or whether it's a draw. Goal points only count if you got the result right.
Advancement Points
Predict which teams advance in each round
Before the World Cup, pick which teams you think will advance to each round. For each team you get right, you score points.
| Round | Teams | Points/Team |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 32 | 5 pts |
| Round of 16 | 16 | 10 pts |
| Quarterfinals | 8 | 20 pts |
| Semifinals | 4 | 40 pts |
| Final | 2 | 80 pts |
| Champion | 1 | 160 pts |
Bonus: Picking the Champion gives you 160 points! Choose wisely.
HOW ARE POINTS CALCULATED?
Example: Full Hit
Spain2 - 1Mexico
Spain2 - 1MexicoPoints calculation:
- ✓ Correct winner (Spain)+2 pts
- ✓ Spain goals correct (2)+1 pt
- ✓ Mexico goals correct (1)+1 pt
- Match total4 pts
Example: Wrong Winner
Brazil3 - 1Switzerland
Brazil1 - 2SwitzerlandPoints calculation:
- ✗ Wrong winner (you said Switzerland)0 pts
- Brazil goalsdoesn't count
- Switzerland goalsdoesn't count
- Match total0 pts
Example: Draw Hit
Netherlands1 - 1Ecuador
Netherlands1 - 1EcuadorPoints calculation:
- ✓ Correct result (draw)+2 pts
- ✓ Netherlands goals correct (1)+1 pt
- ✓ Ecuador goals correct (1)+1 pt
- Match total4 pts
💡 A draw counts as a separate result. If you predicted either team to win, you wouldn't have scored anything.
Example: Partial Hit
France2 - 0NetherlandsFrance2 - 1NetherlandsPoints calculation:
- ✓ Correct winner (France)+8 pts
- ✓ France goals correct (2)+4 pts
- ✗ Netherlands goals wrong (1≠0)0 pts
- Match total12 pts
Example: Advancing Teams
You predicted these teams for the Quarterfinals:
Brazil ✓ France ✓
Germany ✓ Spain ✓
Belgium ✗
Argentina ✓
Portugal ✗
England ✓Points calculation:
- ✓ 6 teams correct × 20 pts120 pts
- ✗ 2 teams missed0 pts
- Round total120 pts
Example: World Cup Final
Argentina3 - 2FranceArgentina3 - 2FrancePoints calculation:
- ✓ Correct winner (Argentina)+128 pts
- ✓ Argentina goals correct (3)+64 pts
- ✓ France goals correct (2)+64 pts
- Match total256 pts
The Final is worth more than any other match! A full hit can change everything.
About the 2026 World Cup pool
FutbolQuiniela's 2026 World Cup pool combines two game modes on a single platform: predicting match scores game by game and building a full knockout bracket. Both modes add points to the same ranking, which means you can climb positions both by getting group-stage results right and by correctly predicting which teams advance.
The scoring system scales with each stage of the tournament: a hit in the group stage is worth 2 points for the winner plus 1 point per exact score, while in the Final those values reach 128 and 64 points respectively. This means no match is irrelevant and the standings can change all the way to the final whistle on July 19, 2026.
Beyond competing in the global ranking with all users, you can create private groups to play with friends, coworkers or your community. Each group has its own internal ranking using the same scoring system.