The FIFA World Cup is one of the most watched and celebrated sporting events on the planet. Whether you're running a pool for the Men’s World Cup or the Women’s World Cup, it's a perfect opportunity to bring people together—family, friends, coworkers, or clients—for weeks of global football excitement.
World Cup Pool Format Overview
The tournament—and your pool—is divided into two key stages:
Group Stage
Teams are divided into groups of four.
Each team plays a round-robin against the others in their group.
Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage.
For the Women's World Cup, the four best third-place teams also advance.
Knockout Stage
The final 16 teams enter a single-elimination bracket.
Think of this as the football version of NCAA’s “Sweet 16.”
How Does the World Cup Challenge Pool Work?
Pool Commissioners can choose to include:
✅ Both Group & Knockout Stages
✅ Knockout Stage only
Group Stage Mechanics
Members predict each team’s finishing position (1st–4th) within every group.
Points are awarded for each correct prediction.
Example: 1 point per correct ranking = up to 32 total group stage points (8 groups × 4 positions).
Knockout Stage Mechanics
After the Group Stage is completed, members fill out their bracket using the actual teams that advanced.
Points are awarded for each correct pick in the bracket.
Point values are customizable for each round by the pool administrator.
The winner is the member with the most cumulative points by the end of the tournament.
Including the Group Stage creates more pick variety and engagement throughout the event.
Pool Features & Sample Reports
A variety of detailed, real-time reports are available to make tracking your pool easy and engaging:
Group Stage Pick Sheet
Knockout Stage Bracket Sheet
Leaderboard Report
Group Stage Pick Summary
Final Four Predictions Report
Why Choose RunYourPool?
We handle the logistics so you can enjoy the tournament:
✅ Members submit picks directly online—no spreadsheets or emails
✅ Automatic scoring and real-time standings
✅ Error-free pick sheets prevent incomplete or invalid entries
✅ Full reporting suite keeps everyone informed and invested
✅ Data retention for easy setup next tournament cycle
Brand Your Pool
Add your company or organization’s logo to give your World Cup pool a professional look. It’s perfect for marketing campaigns, internal competitions, or nonprofit fundraisers. Learn more on our Brand Your Pool page.
Private Message Boards
Each pool includes a private message board, accessible only by your members. Use it to post updates, share insights, and enjoy the community aspect of the tournament.
World Cup Pool Pricing
Your pool’s pricing is based on the number of active entries and is a one-time fee for the entire tournament. Your pool data and member information are securely retained year-to-year, making setup for the next World Cup fast and easy.
👉 View our full pricing details on the Pricing Page.
An “entry” is defined as one complete bracket submission by a participant.