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It is quite uncommon for multiple teams to end a major tournament group stage with identical points, but it has happened before. One recent instance was during Euro 2024 in Group E, where Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine all finished with four points each.

In that case, goal difference and goals scored determined the final standings. But what happens when similar situations arise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Let’s take a closer look at FIFA’s updated rules for breaking ties in the group stage.

Before the tournament, FIFA clearly outlined the criteria for separating teams that finish level on points with at least one other side. The tiebreakers are applied in this order: 1) head-to-head record, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) ‘team conduct’ score, and 5) world ranking position.

So, what exactly is the ‘team conduct score’? It’s essentially the same as the ‘fair play’ system, only under a new name. The concept remains straightforward—each yellow and red card a team receives counts against them if they cannot be separated by the first three criteria.

The scoring is based on negative points. A single yellow card results in a deduction of one disciplinary point. Two yellow cards leading to a red card amount to minus three points. A straight red card results in minus four points, while a yellow followed by a straight red adds up to minus five points in total.

For example, South Africa had two players booked and two players sent off with straight red cards in their opening match against Mexico. That gives them a team conduct score of -10 points—two one-point deductions for the yellow cards and two four-point deductions for the red cards.

This could prove costly if they end up tied on points with Mexico, South Korea, or the Czech Republic once all group matches have concluded. A poorer team conduct score could be the deciding factor that determines which nation advances to the knockout stage.