The second round of group matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ has come to an end and, in some sections, the fight for spots in the knockout stage is simply too close to call.
So tight are a few of the groups, in fact, that teams could finish their final group-stage outings level on points with one or even two other sides. So, what happens if that is the case? FIFA has the answers.
As stipulated in Article 13.1 of the competition regulations:
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, were be applied to determine the ranking:
Step 1:
a) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
b) superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned.
Step 2:
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings was determined following three more items:
d) superior goal difference in all group matches;
e) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
f) highest team conduct score (combining players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained:
– yellow card: minus 1 point
– indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): minus 3 points
– direct red card: minus 4 points
– yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points
Only one of the above deductions shall be applied to a player or team official in a single match. The team with the highest number of points shall be ranked highest.
g) drawing of lots by FIFA.
