How are ties settled in the 2026 World Cup group stage?

Find out how ties are settled in the 2026 World Cup group stage.

There are a handful of groups in the World Cup with two sides who'll expect to take six points from the weaker sides, with a 90-minute shootout potentially deciding the group winner and runner-up.

Group H features Spain and Uruguay who play Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia before meeting in their final game on 27th June in Mexico, while Brazil and Morocco face Scotland and Haiti after playing out a 1-1 draw in their opener.

Group winners will typically face easier opponents in the round of 32, while eight third-placed teams will also book their place in the knockouts, but how are ties settled? Find out below.

Group stage tie-breaking criteria

As per FIFA's website:

1. superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between theteams concerned;
2. greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teamsconcerned.

Should teams still be tied, the following will be applied:

1. superior goal difference in all group matches;
2. greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
3. highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the numberof yellow and red cards obtained
4. the two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking

Team conduct applies points based on the following:

• Yellow card - minus one point
• Two yellow cards - minus three points
• Straight red card - minus four points
• Yellow card and straight red card - minus five points

Essentially, goal difference will likely separate ties, with goals scored next and disciplinary action after that.