Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the OfficialWC26 website ("Site") and services ("Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), the Official Contest Rules, and the Privacy Policy, which are incorporated herein by reference.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not access or use the Site or Services.

2. Nature of Contest

OfficialWC26 operates a skill-based bracket prediction contest. Contest outcomes are determined by participant knowledge, analysis, and strategic forecasting — not by chance. This is not gambling, a lottery, or a game of chance. Void where prohibited by law.

3. Eligibility

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age to create an account, purchase entries, or claim prizes
• By creating an account and submitting an entry, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement
• Participants are solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in their jurisdiction
• Employees, officers, and immediate family members of OfficialWC26 are not eligible to participate
• Void where prohibited or restricted by law

4. Account Registration

To participate in the contest, you must create an account using a valid email address or Google OAuth. By registering, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account
• Maintain only one account per person — duplicate accounts may be terminated without refund

OfficialWC26 is not responsible for unauthorized access to your account resulting from your failure to safeguard your credentials.

5. Contest Entries & Submission

• Each entry requires submitting a completed bracket prediction before the contest deadline (kickoff of the first official 2026 FIFA World Cup match)
• All entries are final once submitted and cannot be edited, modified, or withdrawn
• Entry details, scoring, and prize structure are governed by the Official Contest Rules

6. Payments & Entry Fees

• The entry fee is $5.00 USD per bracket, payable at the time of submission
• Payments are securely processed through Stripe, Inc. OfficialWC26 does not store credit card details
• All entry fees are final and non-refundable once a bracket is submitted
• OfficialWC26 is not liable for payment errors, delays, or failures caused by Stripe or any third-party payment processor
• If the 2026 FIFA World Cup is cancelled or materially altered, a pro-rata refund or credit may be issued at OfficialWC26's sole discretion

7. Referral Program & Promotional Codes

• Participants may earn one (1) free bracket entry after three (3) valid paid referrals, as described in the Official Contest Rules
• Promotional codes are single-use, non-transferable, and have no cash value
• Abuse of the referral program (including fake accounts or referral manipulation) will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all rewards
• OfficialWC26 reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the referral program at any time

8. Prizes & Tax Responsibility

• Prizes are distributed according to the structure described in the Official Contest Rules
• Winners will be notified via the email address associated with their account
• Winners may be required to verify their identity and complete tax documentation (including IRS Form W-9 or W-8BEN for non-U.S. residents) before prizes are distributed
• Winners 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
• Winners must respond to the notification sent to their account email within forty-eight (48) hours. Failure to respond within this period will result in automatic forfeiture of the prize, and an alternate winner may be selected at OfficialWC26's sole discretion
• It is your sole responsibility to maintain access to the email address associated with your account. OfficialWC26 is not responsible for missed notifications due to incorrect, outdated, or inaccessible email addresses
• Prizes are non-transferable and may not be substituted except at OfficialWC26's sole discretion

9. Disqualification & Entry Cancellation

OfficialWC26 reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any participant and cancel their entries without refund for any of the following reasons:

• Violation of these Terms, the Official Contest Rules, or any applicable law
• Fraudulent, suspicious, or irregular activity associated with the account or payment
• Creation of multiple accounts or use of another person's identity or account
• Use of bots, scripts, automated tools, or artificial assistance
• Collusion with other participants or attempted manipulation of contest outcomes
• Abuse of the referral program, promotional codes, or payment systems
• Conduct that threatens the integrity, fairness, or proper functioning of the contest
• Failure to comply with identity verification or eligibility requirements

Disqualified participants forfeit all entry fees, prizes, and promotional benefits. OfficialWC26's determination of disqualification is final and not subject to appeal.

10. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate disqualification, account termination, and forfeiture of entry fees and prizes:

• Manipulating or attempting to manipulate contest outcomes
• Using bots, scripts, automated tools, or any form of artificial assistance
• Creating multiple accounts or using another person's account
• Colluding with other participants
• Engaging in any fraudulent activity, including payment fraud
• Attempting to access, tamper with, or exploit the Site's systems, databases, or other participants' accounts
• Harassing, threatening, or abusing other participants or OfficialWC26 staff

OfficialWC26 reserves the sole right to determine what constitutes prohibited conduct and to take appropriate action without prior notice.

11. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site — including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, and design — is the property of OfficialWC26 or its licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or commercially exploit any content from the Site without prior written consent from OfficialWC26.

"OfficialWC26" and the WC26 logo are trademarks of OfficialWC26. This contest is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or organized by FIFA or any official football governing body.

12. Service Availability

OfficialWC26 provides the Site and Services on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis. We do not guarantee that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services at any time without prior notice or liability.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, OFFICIALWC26, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR SERVICES.

OfficialWC26's total aggregate liability for all claims arising out of or related to these Terms shall not exceed the total entry fees paid by you.

OfficialWC26 is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries due to system errors, failures, or circumstances beyond our control.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless OfficialWC26, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Site or Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
• Your violation of any third party's rights

15. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.

• Arbitration shall take place in Miami-Dade County, Florida
• Each party shall bear its own costs of arbitration, except as otherwise required by the AAA Rules or applicable law
• The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction
• YOU AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT IN A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION

You waive the right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration against OfficialWC26.

16. Payment Disputes & Chargebacks

By submitting a bracket and paying the entry fee, you acknowledge that you have received the service (contest participation) and agree not to initiate payment disputes or chargebacks for valid contest entry fees.

If a chargeback or payment dispute is initiated after contest participation, OfficialWC26 reserves the right to:

• Immediately suspend or terminate the associated account
• Void any and all associated contest entries
• Disqualify the participant from receiving any prizes
• Pursue recovery of the disputed amount plus any associated fees

17. Electronic Communications

By creating an account, you consent to receive electronic communications from OfficialWC26, including contest updates, winner announcements, and service notifications. You agree that all agreements, notices, and disclosures provided electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

18. Force Majeure

OfficialWC26 shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, pandemics, acts of government, war, terrorism, power outages, internet or telecommunications failures, third-party service outages (including Stripe, Supabase, or Vercel), or cancellation or postponement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

19. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

20. Modifications to Terms

OfficialWC26 reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Site. Your continued use of the Site following notification of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with any changes, you must discontinue use of the Services.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

22. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Official Contest Rules and the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and OfficialWC26 regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

23. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at: info@officialwc26.com

Inquiries will receive a response within 24 hours.