Rules for the World Cup pool: how predicting works and earning points with Sportspoule

Creating a World Cup pool is fun, but it gets really exciting when you know exactly how the rules work. How do you earn points? Until when can you make predictions? And do extra time and penalties count in finals? In this article, we explain step by step how the World Cup pool works at Sportspoule, so you can participate without surprises and get the most out of your predictions.

How does a World Cup pool work?

At Sportspoule, you predict the final score after 90 minutes for each match. Based on your predictions, you earn points, which together determine who is at the top of the leaderboard. You can adjust your predictions until just before kick-off and follow live how you score compared to other participants in your pool.

Rules for finals

In matches in the knockout phase (round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final), only the score after the official playing time of 90 minutes counts. Extra time and penalties are not included in the points tally.
Example: you predict 1-1. If it is 1-1 after 90 minutes, you receive 5 points, regardless of the outcome after extra time.

Points tally per match

You can earn a maximum of 5 points per match. The points are awarded as follows:

• Correctly predicted exact result: 5 points

• Winner correct, but score not exact: 2 points

• Incorrect prediction: 0 points

Example of predicting a win

You predict Netherlands – Ukraine: 2-1.
If it is 2-1, you get 5 points.
If it is 3-1, you get 2 points.
If it is 1-1 or 1-2, you get 0 points.

Example of predicting a draw

You predict a draw of 1-1.
If it is 1-1, you get 5 points.
If it is 2-2, you get 2 points.
If it is 2-1, you get 0 points.

Until when can you make predictions?

You can submit a prediction up to 1 minute before the start of the match. This allows you to consider the latest news such as lineups, injuries, and team form. For real football fans, this keeps it exciting until the last moment.

Automatic addition of final matches

As soon as the matches for the round of 16 are known, they are automatically added to your pool. The same happens for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. So you don’t have to create anything yourself and can immediately fill in new predictions.

View scores and leaderboard

After a match is played, the top 4 of the pool is displayed in a graph, including profile picture and total points. If you want to see the full overview of all participants and their scores, you can click on ‘More’ or on the name of the pool.

View and revisit predictions

Matches that still need to be played are shown in the list where you can directly enter your prediction. This is automatically saved.

Played matches can be found in the ‘Played’ tab. Here you can see how many points you have earned per match. By clicking on the point total, you can see your prediction, the score, and the points earned listed below each other. You can also view the predictions of other participants.

Participate via web and mobile app

Sportspoule can be used via the browser and through mobile apps for iOS and Android. With the app, you receive push notifications before, during, and after matches, and you always have immediate insight into your predictions and position in the pool.

For example, you get a reminder when you haven’t made a prediction for a match that is about to start today. You also receive a notification after a match if you scored points, such as a notification that you earned 5 points by correctly predicting the score. This way, you miss no predictions and remain continuously involved in your pool.

Sportspoule for business

For large company pools, Sportspoule offers a business subscription. With this, you can easily organize a World Cup pool for more than 15 participants, for example, for employees, customers, or partners.

With Sportspoule Business, you can create a custom registration form for the pool and decide what information participants fill in. These registrations are directly visible to administrators and easy to export, making the pool suitable as a lead generator.

Additionally, the business subscription offers handy features such as importing participants via Excel or CSV, advanced invitation management, accepting or rejecting players, space for company information, and your own company logo. Companies can add unlimited participants and make use of extra email and push notifications, extensive leaderboards, and quick support.

Sportspoule Business is available via web and mobile apps for iOS and Android and supports features such as login with Apple and Google and multiple languages. More information can be found on the business page of Sportspoule.

Questions or manage account

You can easily delete your account via your profile. Can’t log in anymore or have questions about the rules? Then you can contact via info@sportspoule.com