FIFA has introduced a new system to determine group standings for the 2026 World Cup, focusing on head-to-head results instead of overall goal difference.

FIFA 引入了一套新系統來決定 2026 世界盃的小組排名，重點在於對陣紀錄而非總淨勝球數。

The new rules move away from the goal-difference standard used since 1970 and now align FIFA's protocols with those used by UEFA. Under this new system, if teams have the same number of points, they are first separated by the results of the matches played between them. If they are still tied, FIFA will look at head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, and finally the overall group goal difference. This change is intended to stop teams from gaining an unfair advantage by scoring many goals against much weaker opponents.

新規則捨棄了自 1970 年起採用的淨勝球標準，目前將 FIFA 的方案與歐足聯 (UEFA) 統一。在這一新系統下，如果球隊積分相同，首先由其間的對陣結果決定。如果依然平手，FIFA 將查看對陣淨勝球、對陣進球數，最後才是小組總淨勝球。此項變更旨在防止球隊透過對陣較弱對手打入大量進球來獲取不公平的優勢。

This modification significantly changes how teams qualify for the next round. For example, a team can now secure first place with a three-point lead if they have defeated the other teams on three points. This has already happened in Group A, where Mexico has secured the top spot. Consequently, this may lead to a strategic change in the final group matches, as leading teams might choose to play reserve players, which could give an advantage to lower-ranked opponents.

此項修改顯著改變了球隊晉級下一輪的方式。例如，如果一支球隊擊敗了其他同為 3 分的球隊，現在可以以 3 分之差確保第一名。這已在 A 組發生，墨西哥已確保榜首之位。因此，這可能會導致最後小組賽的策略改變，因為領先的球隊可能會選擇派遣替補球員上場，這可能為排名較低的對手帶來優勢。

Furthermore, because the tournament has expanded to 48 teams, FIFA has reintroduced a Round of 32, allowing eight third-place teams to advance. These qualifiers are chosen based on overall points, group goal difference, goals conceded, fair play scores, and FIFA world rankings. Although head-to-head records do not decide which third-place teams move forward, they are still essential for determining which teams finish third in their own groups.

此外，由於賽事擴展至 48 支球隊，FIFA 重新引入了 32 強賽，允許 8 支小組第三名晉級。這些晉級球隊是根據總積分、小組淨勝球、失球數、公平競技得分以及 FIFA 世界排名來選出。雖然對陣紀錄不決定哪些小組第三名能晉級，但對於決定哪些球隊在各自小組排名第三依然至關重要。

The 2026 World Cup now uses head-to-head records as the main tiebreaker, which allows teams to qualify earlier and changes the strategy for the final group games.

2026 世界盃現在將對陣紀錄作為主要平分決定因素，讓球隊可以更早晉級，並改變了最後小組賽的策略。