The FIFA World Cup group-stage tiebreakers are, in order: head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, overall goal difference, overall goals scored, disciplinary record, and then FIFA ranking if needed.

Order of tiebreakers

  1. Points in matches among the tied teams.
  2. Goal difference in those head-to-head matches.
  3. Goals scored in those head-to-head matches.
  4. Goal difference in all group matches.
  5. Goals scored in all group matches.
  6. Team conduct score, based on yellow and red cards.
  7. FIFA world ranking if the tie still cannot be broken.

Simple example

If two teams finish level on points, FIFA first checks how they did against each other rather than looking at total group performance right away. Only if that does not separate them does FIFA move to overall goal difference, goals scored, and then disciplinary records.

2026 note

This head-to-head-first approach is the rule being used for the 2026 World Cup group stage, and it differs from older tournaments where overall goal difference came first.