1. Contest Overview
OfficialWC26 ("WC26") is a skill-based bracket prediction contest where participants forecast team advancements throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Success depends primarily on participant knowledge, analysis, and strategic forecasting across numerous independent match outcomes using a progressive weighted scoring system. This is not gambling, a lottery, or a game of chance.
The contest requires participants to demonstrate knowledge of international soccer, team performance analysis, and tournament structure. Outcomes are determined by the accuracy of participant predictions across 104 independent match outcomes, requiring sustained analytical skill rather than a single chance event.
By entering, you agree to these Official Rules, the Terms of Service, and the Privacy Policy.
Void where prohibited by law. Contest open to legal residents of jurisdictions where skill-based contests are permitted.
2. Eligibility
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age to create an account, purchase entries, and claim prizes
- One account per person — duplicate or fraudulent accounts will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all entries without refund
- Employees, officers, and immediate family members of OfficialWC26 are not eligible
- Participants are solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in their jurisdiction
3. Entry Fee & Structure
- Entry fee: $5.00 USD per bracket (paid at submission)
- All entry fees are non-refundable
- Brackets lock immediately upon submission and cannot be edited
- View-only access remains after submission
- Each entry consists of one completed bracket submission
4. Prize Pool & Revenue Breakdown
For each $5.00 entry:
- $2.50 retained by OfficialWC26 for platform operations
- $2.50 allocated to the prize pool
Prize Pool Breakdown (per entry):
| Place | Share | Per Entry |
|---|
| 1st Place | 57.14% | $1.43 |
| 2nd Place | 28.57% | $0.71 |
| 3rd Place | 14.29% | $0.36 |
Final prize amounts are determined by multiplying these per-entry allocations by the total number of paid entries. Prize pool updates reflected weekly.
5. How to Play — Bracket Predictions
Predict team advancements only. No match score predictions required.
Group Stage:
- Select the two teams that advance from each of the 12 groups (24 teams total)
- Identify the exact eight best third-place teams that advance
Knockout Stage:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Final
6. Scoring System
Group Stage:
- 1 point for each correctly predicted advancing team (including eight best third-place teams)
- Maximum: 32 points
Knockout Stage (Progressive Weighting):
| Round | Points per Correct Pick |
|---|
| Round of 32 | 2 points |
| Round of 16 | 3 points |
| Quarterfinals | 5 points |
| Semifinals | 8 points |
| Final Champion | 12 points |
Maximum knockout points: 104
7. Daily Trivia Bonus
- Two trivia questions released daily during the tournament (~9:00 AM and ~9:00 PM)
- Each question available for 10 minutes only
- Each correct answer earns 0.5 points
- Trivia points capped at 20 total points per account
- Participation in trivia is optional
Trivia participation is optional and supplementary. It does not affect the core bracket prediction competition. The bracket scoring system (Sections 5–6) is the primary determinant of final standings and prize eligibility. Trivia points serve as a minor engagement bonus and do not introduce any element of chance — all trivia questions have objectively correct answers based on publicly available soccer knowledge and tournament facts.
8. Total Possible Score
Maximum possible score: 156 points. The participant with the highest total score at the conclusion of the tournament earns the top prize.
9. Submission Deadline
- All brackets must be submitted before kickoff of the first official 2026 World Cup match
- No late entries or edits permitted after the deadline
10. Tiebreakers
If two or more participants finish with the same total score:
- The pre-submitted Final match tiebreaker (e.g. predicted total goals in the Final) determines placement
- If still tied, prizes may be split equally
- Tiebreaker method specified at submission
11. Prize Distribution
- Winners announced following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
- Winners notified via the email address associated with their account
- Winners must respond to the notification sent to their account email within 48 hours. Failure to respond within this period will result in automatic forfeiture of the prize
- It is the winner's sole responsibility to maintain access to the email address associated with their account. OfficialWC26 is not responsible for missed notifications due to incorrect, outdated, or inaccessible email addresses
- If a winner forfeits their prize, an alternate winner may be selected at OfficialWC26's sole discretion based on the next highest score
- If a winner is found to be ineligible (e.g., under 18, duplicate account, prohibited jurisdiction), the prize will be forfeited and awarded to the next eligible participant
- Payouts issued within 14 days of completing identity verification and tax documentation
- Winners may be required to provide government-issued ID and complete IRS Form W-9 (U.S. residents) or W-8BEN (non-U.S. residents) before prizes are distributed
- Participants are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes on prizes received
- OfficialWC26 may be required to report prize winnings to the IRS and withhold taxes as required by law
- Prizes are non-transferable and may not be substituted except at OfficialWC26's sole discretion
12. Identity Verification
OfficialWC26 reserves the right to verify the identity and eligibility of any participant prior to awarding prizes.
Winners may be required to provide documentation including but not limited to:
- Government-issued identification
- Proof of account ownership
- Tax documentation if required by law
Failure to complete identity verification within a reasonable timeframe may result in disqualification and forfeiture of prizes.
13. Fair Play & Integrity
- Brackets are timestamped upon submission and become final
- Automated entries, bots, collusion, or payment manipulation will result in disqualification without refund
- OfficialWC26 reserves the right to void suspicious entries at its sole discretion
- Multiple entries from the same household, IP address, or device are permitted only if each entry belongs to a separate, verified individual. Suspicious patterns may trigger additional verification
- Official match results are determined by official FIFA tournament records
- OfficialWC26 reserves the right to disqualify any participant and cancel their entries without refund for rule violations, fraudulent activity, or conduct that threatens the integrity of the contest. This determination is final and not subject to appeal
14. Rule Updates & Support
- OfficialWC26 reserves the right to update or modify these rules at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Site
- All disputes arising from the contest are subject to binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Participants waive the right to class-action lawsuits
- Support inquiries: info@officialwc26.com — response within 24 hours
15. Data & Privacy
Participant data is collected and used solely for contest administration, scoring, prize distribution, and fraud prevention. For full details on how we collect, use, and protect your data, see our Privacy Policy.
16. Independence Statement
WC26 is independently operated and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or organized by FIFA or any official football governing body.
17. Refund Policy
- All bracket entry fees are final and non-refundable once a bracket is submitted
- If the 2026 FIFA World Cup is cancelled, postponed beyond December 31, 2026, or materially altered such that the contest cannot be reasonably completed, a pro-rata refund or credit may be issued at OfficialWC26's sole discretion
- Technical issues during bracket submission do not guarantee a refund — contact info@officialwc26.com for resolution
- Free entries obtained through the referral program have no cash value and are not eligible for refund
18. Limitation of Liability
OfficialWC26 is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries due to system errors, failures, or circumstances beyond our control. Payments are processed through Stripe, Inc. OfficialWC26 is not liable for payment errors caused by third-party processors.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OFFICIALWC26'S TOTAL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS CONTEST SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL ENTRY FEES PAID BY THE PARTICIPANT.
19. Age Restrictions
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. By participating, you confirm that you meet this requirement. OfficialWC26 reserves the right to request age verification at any time.
20. Jurisdiction & Governing Law
This contest is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
21. Severability
If any provision of these rules is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
22. Contest Operator Authority
OfficialWC26 reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond its control compromises the integrity or proper functioning of the contest. In the event of cancellation, prizes will be awarded based on standings at the time of cancellation, or entry fees refunded on a pro-rata basis, at OfficialWC26's sole discretion.
23. Referral Program
- OfficialWC26 offers a referral program allowing participants to earn promotional benefits by inviting others to join the contest
- Each participant receives a unique referral link upon creating an account
- A referral is considered valid only when the referred individual creates an account, completes a bracket submission, and completes payment of the entry fee
- Account creation alone does not constitute a valid referral
- Upon accumulating three (3) valid referrals, the referring participant will receive a promotional code for one (1) free bracket entry, redeemable at checkout
- Free entry promotional codes are single-use and subject to availability
- OfficialWC26 reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the referral program at any time
- Additionally, each paid bracket submission entitles the participant to a 15% discount code for merchandise at the OfficialWC26 store (shop.officialwc26.com). Discount codes are single-use and expire 30 days after issuance
- Referral program abuse, including creating fake accounts or manipulating referral counts, will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all rewards
