Predict the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup and compete for prizes. Kokomo's World Cup Bracket Challenge covers group stages through the final — 48 nations, 104 matches, one leaderboard.
Submit your bracket before June 11. Highest score wins.
What Is the World Cup Bracket Challenge?
The World Cup Bracket Challenge is a tournament-long prediction competition running from group stages through the July 19 final.
Three prediction stages:
Stage 1: Group Stage — Predict how all 12 groups finish (1st through 4th place in each group). Pick one confidence team per group for 2x points.
Stage 2: Wildcards — After groups conclude, pick the 8 best third-placed teams that advance to the Round of 32. +1 point per correct pick.
Stage 3: Knockouts — Predict match winners and exact scores from Round of 32 through the final. One confidence pick per round for 2x points.
Your total points across all three stages determine your leaderboard position. Top scorers win prizes.
How Scoring Works
Points accumulate across the entire tournament. Every correct prediction adds to your total.
Group Stage Scoring:
- Correct team position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th): +3 points
- Correct group winner bonus: +2 points
- Perfect group (all 4 positions correct): +5 points
- Confidence pick (2x points on your best group): 2x multiplier
Wildcard Scoring:
- Correct wildcard pick (third-place team that advances): +1 point
Knockout Stage Scoring:
- Correct match winner: +3 points
- Correct exact score: +10 points
- Knockout confidence pick (1 per round): 2x multiplier
World Champion Prediction:
- Correct World Cup winner: +15 points
Stage 1: Predicting the Groups
The 2026 World Cup features 12 groups of 4 teams each. You predict the finishing order (1st through 4th) for every group.
How it works:
Drag teams into your predicted positions for each group. First place advances directly to Round of 32. Second place advances. Third place enters wildcard selection. Fourth place is eliminated.
Confidence Pick:
Select one group as your confidence pick. If you correctly predict all four positions in that group, you earn 2x points. Choose the group you're most confident about — it's a significant points multiplier if you nail it.
Randomise Option:
Not sure where to start? Use the randomise button to auto-fill groups, then adjust from there. This speeds up bracket creation if you're only strongly opinionated about certain groups.
Stage 2: Wildcard Predictions
After the group stage concludes, eight third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32 based on their records. Before knockouts begin, predict which eight third-place finishers will advance.
This stage unlocks after group stage matches finish. You'll know the actual group results before making wildcard picks.
Scoring: +1 point per correct wildcard selection.
Stage 3: Knockout Predictions
From Round of 32 through the final, predict match winners and exact scores.
How knockouts work:
Once the Round of 32 matchups are confirmed, predict the winner and exact score for each match. As rounds progress (Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Final), you continue predicting based on which teams advanced.
Confidence Picks:
You get one confidence pick per knockout round. Apply it to one match in that round to double your points if correct. Use it on your most certain prediction each round.
Final Prediction:
Before knockouts begin, pick your World Cup champion. This locks when the Round of 32 starts. Correct prediction earns +15 bonus points.
Leaderboard and Prizes
One global leaderboard tracks all participants across the entire tournament. Points accumulate from group stage through the final.
Prize structure:
Prizes are currently being finalised. Kokomo is collaborating with partner projects to build a prize pool for top leaderboard finishers.
Prize details will be announced before the tournament begins. Check the World Cup Bracket page for updates.
How to Enter
Step 1: Go to play.kokomo.games
Step 2: Navigate to Pick'em and select the World Cup tab
Step 3: Click "Create Bracket"
Step 4: Predict group stage finishing positions (drag and drop teams)
Step 5: Select your group stage confidence pick
Step 6: Continue to knockouts and predict match outcomes
Step 7: Pick your World Cup champion
Step 8: Save your bracket before June 11
Your bracket locks when the first World Cup match kicks off on June 11. Make sure everything is submitted before then.
Bracket Strategy Tips
Research group strength.
Some groups are clearly stronger than others. Don't just pick favourites — consider which groups will have the tightest competition for top spots.
Confidence picks matter.
Your group confidence pick can earn massive points if correct. Don't waste it on an obvious group. Pick one that's moderately difficult but where you have strong conviction.
Wildcard math is tricky.
Third-place teams advance based on points, goal difference, and goals scored. Study historical wildcard scenarios to understand which types of third-place finishes typically advance.
Don't overthink knockout scores.
Exact scores earn big points (+10), but they're hard to predict. Prioritise getting winners correct (+3) over gambling on specific scorelines.
Save your knockout confidence picks for later rounds.
Quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final are worth more strategically. Using confidence picks on Round of 32 matches wastes them on unpredictable early knockout games.
Pick a realistic champion early.
Your champion prediction locks before knockouts start. Don't pick a long-shot upset team just to differentiate — it's worth 15 points only if correct.
Can You Edit Your Bracket?
Before June 11: Yes. Edit your bracket as many times as you want before the first match kicks off.
After June 11: No. Once the tournament begins, your group stage and champion predictions lock. Knockout predictions open as each round begins but lock when those matches start.
World Cup Bracket vs Regular Pick'em
The World Cup Bracket is separate from Kokomo's standard Premier League and FA Cup Pick'em.
Differences:
- Duration: World Cup runs for one month (June 11 - July 19). Regular Pick'em is weekly.
- Scope: Predict an entire tournament bracket upfront. Pick'em is match-by-match weekly predictions.
- Leaderboard: Single cumulative leaderboard for the whole World Cup. Pick'em resets weekly.
- Scoring: Includes group predictions, wildcards, and knockout matches. Pick'em is just match results.
Both are free to enter. You can compete in both simultaneously.
Common Questions
Is there an entry fee?
Entry details are being finalised. Check the World Cup Bracket page for confirmation before the tournament starts.
Can I see other players' brackets?
No. Brackets are private until after the tournament concludes. You compete blind against the leaderboard.
What if I forget to submit knockout predictions for a round?
You earn 0 points for matches you don't predict. The competition continues — you can still predict future rounds.
Do group stage predictions lock before wildcards?
Yes. Group predictions lock on June 11. Wildcards unlock after groups finish, then lock before Round of 32.
Can I change my World Cup champion pick?
Not after June 11. Champion predictions lock when the tournament starts, even though the final is on July 19.
What happens if matches go to extra time or penalties?
Knockout predictions are based on 90-minute results. Extra time and penalties don't affect your score predictions.
Why the World Cup Bracket Matters
The FIFA World Cup happens once every four years. The 2026 edition is the first 48-team tournament, making it the biggest World Cup in history.
Kokomo's Bracket Challenge turns passive watching into active competition. Every match matters. Every prediction counts toward your leaderboard position.
One bracket. 104 matches. One month of competition.
Final Thoughts
The World Cup Bracket Challenge covers the entire 2026 tournament. Predict groups, wildcards, knockouts, and the champion. Highest score wins.
Submit your bracket before June 11. Once the first whistle blows, predictions lock.
Create Your World Cup Bracket →
