Rules
Everything you need to know.
A prediction game built as an homage to the World Cup's own format — groups, knockouts, and a final.
How it works
Points Scoring System
| Correct winner (or draw) | 2 |
| Exact score bonus | +3 |
| Correct team advances (KO) | 1 |
Max per group match: **5 pts**. Max per knockout match: **6 pts**.
Ways to win
Format
Survivor-style elimination. Groups, knockouts, last one standing
Overall
Most points across the whole tournament
More ways to win
KO Bracket
Predict the knockouts after groups finish
Full Bracket
Predict every result before kickoff
Format — Survivor
Last one standing.
The Format classification is an homage to the World Cup's own structure. You're placed in a group. After each stage is finalised, the bottom players are eliminated and the survivors are redrawn into new groups. Points reset to zero at each stage — only your current performance matters.
With 48 players, the elimination curve mirrors the World Cup itself. With fewer players, the curve is adjusted to keep every round competitive.
Group Stage (Matchdays 1–3)
All three matchdays count as one stage. Your points accumulate across MD1, MD2, and MD3.
After MD3, the cut works like the real World Cup:
Group A
1 of 12 groups · 48 players
Danger Zone
Only the best 3rd-place finishers survive
Eliminated
4th place is always cut
How the cut works
- **Top 2** in each group qualify automatically.
- **3rd place** is the danger zone. Your points are compared against every other 3rd-place finisher across all groups. Only the best thirds survive — the rest are eliminated. With 48 players: 8 of 12 thirds qualify. The other 4 go home.
- **4th place** is always eliminated.
Groups are 4 players each. If the total doesn't divide evenly, the last 1 or 2 players are added to existing groups. A remainder of 3 stays as its own group.
Knockout Rounds
Points reset. New groups drawn from survivors. Bottom half eliminated. Repeat until only the finalists remain.
Round of 32
32 survive · points reset · new groups drawn
16 eliminated
Points reset to zero. Only this round counts for survival.
Final
The last 2 survivors predict both the Third-Place Play-Off and the Final. Most points wins. No elimination — just a winner.
How the field narrows
With 48 players, the elimination curve mirrors the World Cup itself. With fewer players, adjustments are made for competitive integrity — ensuring at least one elimination at every stage.
| Start | Grps | R32 | R16 | QF | SF | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 24 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 16 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
When do picks lock?
Each match locks 10 minutes before kickoff. You can submit and change your picks right up until then — once it locks, it's final.
Changed your mind? No problem — update your picks as many times as you like before that match locks.
More detail
Outcome-only predictions are saved, but you still need to add exact scores to fully complete that day's predictions.
Events inside the same tournament stage may lock on different days and at different times.
FAQs
Basics
Do I have to predict every match?
No. You can skip any match. But every correct pick earns points, so the more you predict the better your chances on the leaderboard.
Is the exact score required?
No — it's optional. Pick the winner (or draw) first. If you also nail the exact score you earn a +3 bonus on top.
Can I change my picks?
Yes, as many times as you like before the match locks. Each match locks 10 minutes before its kickoff — change your mind right up until then.
When can I join?
You can join any time before the entry deadline (3 days after kickoff). Late joiners can still pick unlocked matches but auto-forfeit anything already locked.
Scoring & Classifications
How many points can I earn per match?
Group stage: up to 5 pts (2 for correct outcome + 3 exact score bonus). Knockout: up to 6 pts (2 outcome + 3 score + 1 for correct advancing team).
What are the different leaderboard classifications?
**Overall** — cumulative points across all matches. **Format** — survivor elimination that mirrors the World Cup structure. **Full Bracket** & **KO Bracket** — pre-tournament bracket predictions scored after groups / knockouts complete.
What does “Draw” mean in a knockout match?
It means you're predicting the score will be level after 90 minutes. The match may go to extra time and penalties, but your score prediction is based on the 90-minute whistle only. When you pick Draw, you'll be asked to separately pick which team advances.
How does the extra knockout point work?
In knockout matches there's a bonus point for correctly predicting which team advances. If you pick a team to win, they're automatically your advancing pick — no extra step needed. If you pick Draw, you separately choose who goes through. Either way, 1 bonus point if you get it right.
Rules
What happens if a match is postponed?
Your picks stay valid. The match moves to its new time and your predictions carry over. If a match is cancelled, affected picks are voided (no points gained or lost).
Technical
Do my picks auto-save?
Yes. Winner picks save instantly on tap. Score predictions save after 1.75 seconds of inactivity or when you tap away.
Can I play on desktop?
Yes — the app works on any device with a browser. It's designed mobile-first but fully functional on desktop.
Join the World Cup game
Free to play. Bragging rights on the line.
Joins close 3 days after kickoff.