What happens if teams finish level on points in a group?
There is no penalty shootout in the group stage. If teams are tied on points, the standings are decided by tiebreakers in order: overall goal difference, then total goals scored, then the head-to-head results among the tied teams, and finally fair-play and a drawing of lots if needed.
- 1Group-stage ties are NOT settled by penalties[1]
- 2First tiebreaker is overall goal difference, then total goals scored[1]
- 3If still level, head-to-head results between the tied teams are used[1]
- 4Final tiebreakers are a fair-play (disciplinary) record and, last of all, drawing of lots[1]
A common newcomer question: if two teams finish a group on the same points, do they take penalties? No — shootouts only happen in the knockout rounds.
Instead, the group is sorted by a list of tiebreakers. First comes goal difference across all three games, then total goals scored. If teams are still level, FIFA looks at the head-to-head results among just the tied teams (their points, goal difference and goals against each other). If everything is still equal, it goes to a fair-play record (fewest cards) and, as an absolute last resort, a drawing of lots.
It's like using point differential and head-to-head record to seed tied teams in an NFL or NBA standings — a tiebreaker ladder, not a sudden-death game.
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup(accessed 2026-06-04)
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 hosts, cities and dates(accessed 2026-06-04)