World Cup Playoffs Explained for Football Fans

I hear so many confused questions from friends about the world cup:

“Wait the USA lost, yet they’re on to the next round?” or “There was a tie? How does that work?”

For all you football fans, let me explain.

The NFL has 32 teams divided into 8 Divisions

The World Cup has 32 teams divided into 8 Groups.

Every NFL team plays the other 3 teams in their division, and they are ranked in that division.

Every World Cup team plays the other 3 teams in their group, and they are ranked in that group.

The top 1 team from each NFL division advances to the playoffs. (plus Wildcard teams)

The top 2 teams from each World Cup group advance to the playoffs.

Then it’s a single elimination playoff till the championship.

I don’t get why there is so much confusion.  In the NFL, you can lose your last game of the season and still advance to the playoffs.  Kansas City lost their last 2 games of 2013 and still made it – because they did well enough in their division to advance.

The USA just lost their last game of the “group stage” to Germany – but they were still one of the top 2 teams in their group (better than Portugal and Ghana) so they advanced. 

But futbol's system is better than football's.  It doesn’t just matter that you win, it also matters how you win. 

If you and another team have an equal “win-loss” record, then it matters how many goals you won by.  If you got blown out – it’s gonna cost you.  If you won in a landslide, it’s gonna help.

Futbol is awesome because it starts out giving everyone 3 games.  Every team gets a few chances to show what they can do.  They can recover from a mistake; they can still make it to the playoffs. 

THEN it’s Playoff time.  Single Elimination.  No ties allowed.  If you can’t win it in overtime, then it comes down to penalty kicks – 5 per team.

Futbol is beautiful.  Futbol is international.  Futbol’s World Cup group / playoff system is perfect.