In the World Cup group stage, teams get 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 for a loss. If teams finish level on points, FIFA uses tiebreakers in this order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, fair play points, and then a drawing of lots if needed.

How the points work

Each team plays three group matches, and the standings are first ranked by total points earned across those games. A win gives 3 points because FIFA uses the “three points for a win” system in group play. A draw gives 1 point to each team, and a loss gives none.

Tiebreaker order

If teams are tied on points, the next step is goal difference, which is goals scored minus goals conceded. If that is also equal, the team with more goals scored ranks higher. After that, FIFA looks at head-to-head results between the tied teams, then fair play points, and finally a random drawing of lots if everything is still level.

Simple example

If Team A and Team B both finish with 5 points, but Team A has a better goal difference, Team A ranks higher. If they also have the same goal difference, then the team with more goals scored moves ahead. Only after those checks does FIFA move to head-to-head and the later tiebreakers.

One important note

This point system is for the group stage only; knockout games do not use group points because the winner advances directly. In the knockout rounds, matches are decided by the result of the game itself, with extra time or penalties if needed.

TL;DR: World Cup group-stage standings start with points, then use goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head, fair play, and finally a draw if needed.