Competition Format, Playoffs, Rankings, and Tiebreaker Criteria
Team Country Competitions (Men’s – Senior – Women’s)
This document defines the official competition format, including the group phase structure, playoff format, overall ranking methodology, and tiebreaker criteria for all Team Country Competitions at the FIFG World Championship 2026.
All procedures are designed to ensure sporting fairness, clarity, and transparency, in full accordance with FIFG Competition Regulations and World Championship standards.
1. Group Phase – Match Schedule Format
For all Team Country Competitions (Men’s, Senior, and Women’s), the group phase will be played using a standardized round-robin format, where each team plays every other team in its group once.
Each group consists of four (4) teams, and matches will be played as follows:
Match 1
• Team 1 vs Team 4
• Team 2 vs Team 3
Match 2
• Team 1 vs Team 3
• Team 2 vs Team 4
Match 3
• Team 1 vs Team 2
• Team 3 vs Team 4
This format guarantees equal competition conditions within each group.
2. Men’s and Senior Team Competitions
2.1 Playoffs Format
The playoff stage consists of a Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.
2.2 Qualification to Playoffs (Round of 16)
• The top two (2) teams from each group qualify
• The four (4) best third-placed teams also qualify
A total of sixteen (16) teams advance to the Round of 16.
2.3 Overall Ranking for Playoffs (Positions 1–16)
• Positions 1–6: First-placed teams from each group
• Positions 7–12: Second-placed teams from each group
• Positions 13–16: The four best third-placed teams
2.4 Ranking Methodology (Points-Based Ordering)
Rankings within each category are determined primarily by total points obtained during the group stage. If teams are tied on points, tiebreaker criteria apply.
2.5 Round of 16 Matchups
• 1st vs 16th
• 2nd vs 15th
• 3rd vs 14th
• 4th vs 13th
• 5th vs 12th
• 6th vs 11th
• 7th vs 10th
• 8th vs 9th
3. Women’s Team Competition
3.1 Playoffs Format
The playoffs begin directly at the Quarterfinal stage.
3.2 Qualification to Playoffs (Quarterfinals)
The top two (2) teams from each group qualify, for a total of eight (8) teams.
3.3 Quarterfinal Matchups
• 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B
• 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A
• 1st Group C vs 2nd Group D
• 1st Group D vs 2nd Group C
4. Tiebreaker Criteria
4.1 Ties Within the Same Group
Used to determine group positions (1st–4th):
1. Match Difference
2. Matches Won
3. Head-to-Head Result
4. Hole Difference
5. Holes Won
4.2 Ties Between Teams from Different Groups
Used to determine overall playoff rankings:
1. Matches Won
2. Match Difference
3. Hole Difference
4. Holes Won
If teams remain tied, the final ranking will be decided by a coin toss.
5. Final Clarification
Points are always the primary ranking criterion. Group tiebreakers determine positions within each group, while overall ranking tiebreakers determine playoff seeding and matchups. All procedures are applied in accordance with FIFG Competition Regulations.
