Contents
On this page we will explain the different scoring criteria that can occur in the World Cup 2026 Excel when we want to organise a World Cup 2026 Sweepstake. The examples are completely fictional, and only serve to illustrate how the Excel works.
In each group, everyone sets the scores they consider appropriate. Some scores will be set to 0 because they don’t want that criterion to add points, in other cases they will give more points to some criteria than others because they value them more. That depends on each group. In that sense it is all flexible and each group can tailor it to their needs.
Scoring Criteria for the USA, Mexico and Canada World Cup Excel
Group Stage Scores:
Within the group stage, points can be earned with the following criteria:
- GROUP STAGE – 1X2 Sign (home, draw, away): Correctly guessing the 1X2 sign (home, draw, away) of each group stage match. That is, if you correctly guess the winning team or that they draw.
- GROUP STAGE – Correctly guess goal difference (1X2 correct): To score points here you must have guessed the sign correctly and also guess the goal difference. This criterion may have a variation with the % Adjustment for deviation in Goal Difference/Distance, explained below.
- GROUP STAGE – Exact result: Correctly guessing the exact result of each group stage match.
- GROUP STAGE – Exact position (1st): Correctly guessing the 1st place team in each group. Points are earned for correctly guessing each group individually.
- GROUP STAGE – Exact position (2nd): Correctly guessing the 2nd place team in each group. Points are earned for correctly guessing each group individually.
- GROUP STAGE – Exact position (3rd): Correctly guessing the 3rd place team in each group. Points are earned for correctly guessing each group individually.
- GROUP STAGE – Exact position (4th): Correctly guessing the 4th place team in each group. Points are earned for correctly guessing each group individually.
- Team qualified for ROUND OF 32: Points can also be earned for correctly guessing the teams that qualify for the round of 32. In this scoring criterion, the order of qualification does not matter.
What is a BONUS?
The administrator can designate special matches with double or triple scoring (BONUS). To activate it, select the multiplier (1, 2 or 3) to the left of each match. These multipliers can be applied to any match in all phases of the tournament, at each group’s discretion.
- x1: Standard scoring
- x2: Double scoring
- x3: Triple scoring
In the following example we can see how the same result would score in different matches with or without a bonus, giving the following points.
The example tables below show a column with some bonuses and how the scoring would work with the bonus.
What is the goal difference/distance deviation adjustment and how does it work?
Before explaining what the adjustment is, it should be clarified that in order to score with this criterion, the match sign (1X2) must have been guessed correctly.
The administrator can activate an adjustment so that the criterion (“Goal Difference / Distance”) is not an “either you get the exact difference or nothing” situation, but instead rewards proximity to the goal difference. With the adjustment, if you don’t nail the exact difference but are close, you don’t go away empty-handed. You earn a portion of the points and, the closer you are to the actual difference (both above and below), the less is deducted from the maximum points.
- Options:
- None: Points are only awarded if the exact difference is guessed. This option is selected by default.
- % between 5% and 95%: that percentage will be deducted from the total points for the criterion, for each goal of difference between the actual and the predicted result.
- In matches with a winner (sign 1 or 2): The adjustment % is applied to the difference between the “actual difference” and the “predicted difference”.
- Example: Actual 4-1 (difference of 3) and prediction 1-0 (difference of 1). The deviation is: difference of 3 minus difference of 1 = 2 goals of deviation.
For each goal of deviation, the system deducts the chosen percentage from the total points for that criterion.
- Example: Actual 4-1 (difference of 3) and prediction 1-0 (difference of 1). The deviation is: difference of 3 minus difference of 1 = 2 goals of deviation.
- In drawn matches (Sign X): Since the difference is always 0, the deviation measures the direct distance between the goals scored.
- Example: Actual 1-1 and prediction 4-4. The deviation is: 4 goals minus 1 goal = 3 goals of deviation.
- The formula is: Points = maximum points − (deviation × % adjustment × maximum points).
- Points will never be negative. If the deviation exceeds the available points for the criterion, the result will simply be 0.
- Example: 10 points are given for “Goal Difference/Distance (with correct 1X2)” and a 20% adjustment is selected
- If the actual result is 4-1 (difference of 3) and the prediction is 1-0 (difference of 1). The deviation is: 3 minus 1 = 2 goals of deviation.
Points = 10 maximum points – (2 goals of deviation x 20% adjustment x 10 maximum points) -> 10 – 4 = 6 points
- If the actual result is 4-1 (difference of 3) and the prediction is 1-0 (difference of 1). The deviation is: 3 minus 1 = 2 goals of deviation.
- In the tables below we can see how points are distributed without adjustment or with an adjustment.
Group stage scoring example
Suppose we award 10 points for guessing the match sign, 10 points for guessing the goal difference and another 10 points for guessing the exact result as in the table below. Let’s see how the following criteria would work both “Without adjustment” and with a 10% adjustment.
| GROUP STAGE – 1X2 Sign* (home, draw, away) | 10 |
| GROUP STAGE – Goal Difference/Distance (with correct 1X2)** | 10 |
| GROUP STAGE – Exact result | 10 |
Let’s imagine that in any group stage match the result is 1|1-0. The following table shows different predictions and how the scoring would work:
| Bonus | Actual | Prediction | Deviation | 1X2 Sign Points | Goal difference points (No adjustment) | Goal difference points (10% adjustment) | Exact result points | Total points no adjustment | Total points with 10% adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10+10+10=30 | 10+10+10=30 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 2-0 (Dif:2) | 1 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+9+0=19 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 3-0 (Dif:3) | 2 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+8+0=18 |
| 2 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 3-0 (Dif:3) | 2 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | (10+0+0)*2=20 | (10+8+0)*2=36 |
| 3 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 3-0 (Dif:3) | 2 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | (10+0+0)*3=30 | (10+8+0)*3=54 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 4-0 (Dif:4) | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+7+0=17 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 5-0 (Dif:5) | 4 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+6+0=16 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 6-0 (Dif:6) | 5 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+5+0=15 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 7-0 (Dif:7) | 6 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+4+0=14 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 8-0 (Dif:8) | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+3+0=13 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 9-0 (Dif:9) | 8 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+2+0=12 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 10-0 (Dif:10) | 9 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+1+0=11 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 11-0 (Dif:11) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+0+0=10 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 12-0 (Dif:12) | 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+0+0=10 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 2-1 (Dif:1) | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10+10+0=20 | 10+10+0=20 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 3-2 (Dif:1) | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10+10+0=20 | 10+10+0=20 |
Now let’s look at other examples with various actual results and predictions.
| Bonus | Actual | Prediction | Deviation | 1X2 Sign Points | Goal difference points (No adjustment) | Goal difference points (10% adjustment) | Exact result points | Total points no adjustment | Total points with 10% adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2-1 (Dif:1) | 1 | 2-1 (Dif:1) | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10+10+10=30 | 10+10+10=30 |
| 1 | 1 | 2-1 (Dif:1) | 1 | 3-0 (Dif:3) | 2 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 10+0+0 = 10 | 10+8+0=18 |
| 1 | X | 1-1 (Dif:0) | X | 3-3 (Dif:1) | 2 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 10+10+0 = 20 | 10+8+0=18 |
| 1 | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | X | 1-1 (Dif:0) | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+0+0=0 | 0+0+0=0 |
| 1 | X | 0-0 (Dif:0) | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+0+0=0 | 0+0+0=0 |
| 1 | 2 | 0-2 (Dif:2) | 1 | 2-0 (Dif:2) | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+0+0=0 | 0+0+0=0 |
| 1 | 1 | 3-2 (Dif:1) | 2 | 2-3 (Dif:1) | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+0+0=0 | 0+0+0=0 |
| 1 | 2 | 1-2 (Dif:1) | 2 | 0-5 (Dif:5) | 4 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+6+0=16 |
| 1 | X | 2-2 (Dif:0) | 1 | 2-1 (Dif:1) | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+0+0=0 | 0+0+0=0 |
| 1 | X | 2-2 (Dif:0) | X | 0-0 (Dif:0) | 2 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 10+10+0=20 | 10+8+0=18 |
| 1 | X | 2-2 (Dif:0) | X | 4-4 (Dif:0) | 2 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 10+10+0=20 | 10+8+0=18 |
| 1 | X | 2-2 (Dif:0) | X | 5-5 (Dif:0) | 3 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 10+10+0=20 | 10+7+0=17 |
| 1 | 1 | 2-0 (Dif:2) | 1 | 1-0 (Dif:1) | 1 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10+0+0=10 | 10+9+0=19 |
Scores for the Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, 3rd Place and 4th Place and the Final.
The match criteria are the same as in the group stage: Sign, goal difference (with or without adjustment) and exact result. And they are the same for all knockout rounds. It is important to clarify which result counts.
If there is no draw, the result that counts is the one at minute 90′.
If there is a draw at minute 90′, the result that counts is at minute 120′.
For example, if the fictional match Mexico – Canada at minute 90′ is 0-0 and at minute 120′ it ends 1-0 in favour of Mexico, the result that counts is the 1-0 at minute 120′.
If at minute 90′ the score is 2-2 and at minute 120′ it remains 2-2, the 2-2 would still count, as there is no change.
If at minute 90′ the score is 2-2 and at minute 120′ it ends 3-3, the 3-3 at minute 120′ would count.
| Result at minute 90′ | Result at minute 120′ | Which result counts? |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico 0 – 0 Canada | Mexico 1 – 0 Canada | 120′: Mexico 1 – 0 Canada |
| Mexico 2 – 2 Canada | Mexico 2 – 2 Canada | 120′: Mexico 2 – 2 Canada |
| Mexico 2 – 2 Canada | Mexico 3 – 3 Canada | 120′: Mexico 3 – 3 Canada |
| Mexico 1 – 0 Canada | 90′: Mexico 1 – 0 Canada |
2 examples of knockout round scores
Let’s look at 2 examples: one with a draw and one without a draw at 90′ using the following scoring criteria in both examples.
| ROUND OF 32 – 1X2 Sign (home, draw, away) | 1 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Correctly guess goal difference (with correct sign) | 1 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Exact result | 1 |
| Team qualified for ROUND OF 16 | 1 |
Example A) We imagine a fictional match in the Round of 32 at the end of minute 90′: Mexico 1 – Canada 0
In the table we only add the sign, goal difference and exact result, and below the table we add a comment about the “Team qualified for round of 16” criterion.
| Participant’s prediction | Points awarded | Total points | Bonus (x2/x3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico 1 – Canada 0 | 1 point for correctly guessing Mexico wins 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 1 point for correctly guessing the exact result | 3 | 6 / 9 |
| Mexico 3 – Canada 1 | 1 point for correctly guessing Mexico wins 0 points for not guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 1 | 2 / 3 |
| Mexico 3 – Canada 2 | 1 point for correctly guessing Mexico wins 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 2 | 4 / 6 |
| Mexico 0 – Canada 2 | 0 points for not guessing Mexico wins 0 points for not guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 0 | 0 |
| Mexico 2 – Canada 2 (Mexico qualifies on Penalties) | 0 points for not guessing Mexico wins 0 points for not guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 0 | 0 |
If the participant had also predicted that Mexico would qualify for the Round of 16, they would earn one more point for having predicted that Mexico would be in the Round of 16 under the “Team qualified for ROUND OF 16” criterion.
Example B) We imagine a fictional match in the Round of 16: Mexico 0 – Canada 0 and Mexico wins on penalties.
| Participant’s prediction | Points awarded | Total points | Bonus (x2/x3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico 0 – Canada 0 (Mexico qualifies on Penalties) | 1 point for correctly guessing a draw 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 1 point for correctly guessing the exact result | 3 | 6 / 9 |
| Mexico 0 – Canada 0 (Canada qualifies on Penalties) | 1 point for correctly guessing a draw 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 1 point for correctly guessing the exact result (If they predicted Mexico would qualify, they would not earn the point for team qualified for Round of 16) | 3 | 6 / 9 |
| Mexico 1 – Canada 1 (Mexico qualifies on Penalties) | 1 point for correctly guessing a draw 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 2 | 4 / 6 |
| Mexico 3 – Canada 2 | 0 points for not guessing a draw 0 points for not guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 0 | 0 |
| Mexico 0 – Canada 2 | 0 points for not guessing a draw 0 points for not guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 0 | 0 |
| Mexico 2 – Canada 2 (Mexico qualifies on Penalties) | 1 point for correctly guessing a draw 1 point for correctly guessing the goal difference 0 points for not guessing the exact result | 2 | 4/6 |
If the participant had also predicted that Mexico would qualify for the Round of 16, they would earn one more point for having predicted that Mexico would be in the Round of 16.
Common question about the Round of 32 and remaining knockout rounds.
One of the most frequently asked questions is: what happens if you don’t get the right Round of 32 match but you do get the right result? Let’s explain it and then look at some fictional examples of how it works.
(This applies to the Round of 32 as well as the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, 3rd and 4th place, and the Final).
- If a match does not exist, it scores no points. In the example below, the prediction is Croatia 0 – France 1. That match does not exist, even if France won their actual Round of 32 match 0-1, so it scores no points. Points can still be earned with the “Team qualified for ROUND OF 16” criterion, if the qualifying team is correctly predicted, since this criterion is independent of whether the match and result were correctly guessed.
- If a match exists but does not correspond to the row, points can still be earned if the result and/or sign is correctly guessed. Points can also be earned with the “Team qualified for ROUND OF 16” criterion, if the qualifying team is correctly predicted.
- If a match exists but with the home and away teams swapped, points can still be earned if the result and/or sign is correctly guessed. The row it is in does not matter. In this case, points can also be earned with the “Team qualified for ROUND OF 16” criterion, if the qualifying team is correctly predicted.
We include an example Without adjustment with several possibilities. The following points are awarded for Round of 32 matches.
| ROUND OF 32 – 1X2 Sign (home, draw, away) | 1 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Goal Difference/Distance (with correct 1X2)** | 2 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Exact result | 3 |
| Team qualified for ROUND OF 16 | 1 |
| **% Adjustment for deviation in Goal Difference/Distance: -> | No adjustment |
Let’s focus on the fictional Round of 32 matches France 2 – Paraguay 0, along with Germany 1 – Scotland 1, and how points would be scored with the following fictional participant predictions. Obviously these won’t happen this way, but we have forced it to illustrate with an example the points that score with different possibilities.
Now let’s look at another example where we change the points awarded and add a 10% adjustment as shown in the table:
| ROUND OF 32 – 1X2 Sign (home, draw, away) | 2 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Goal Difference/Distance (with correct 1X2)** | 10 |
| ROUND OF 32 – Exact result | 5 |
| Team qualified for ROUND OF 16 | 1 |
| **% Adjustment for deviation in Goal Difference/Distance: -> | 10% |
The actual results and predictions are the same as in the example above, but the scoring changes.
Honours board scores
To earn points with these criteria, the selected team or player must exactly match the award.
- Champion: Correctly guessing the winner of World Cup 2026
- Runner-up: Correctly guessing the second place team of World Cup 2026
- 3rd place: Correctly guessing the third place team of World Cup 2026
- Golden Boot: Correctly guessing the top scorer of World Cup 2026
- Silver Boot: Correctly guessing the second top scorer of World Cup 2026
- Bronze Boot: Correctly guessing the third top scorer of World Cup 2026
- Golden Ball: Correctly guessing the best player of World Cup 2026
- Silver Ball: Correctly guessing the second best player of World Cup 2026
- Bronze Ball: Correctly guessing the third best player of World Cup 2026
