Direct comparison & placement rules
Placement rules in soccer: FIFA and UEFA mode in comparison
The ranking rules in soccer tournaments play a decisive role when teams are tied on points in the group stage. Depending on the tournament organizer, different criteria are applied. In this article, we explain the differences between the FIFA mode and the UEFA mode and show what effects this can have on the ranking of the teams.
Ranking according to FIFA mode
Points > Goal difference > Number of goals > Direct comparison
FIFA applies the following criteria in descending order to determine the ranking in a group stage:
- Number of points – The team with the most points takes the higher rank.
- Goal difference – If teams are tied on points, the goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) is decisive.
- Number of goals scored – If the goal difference is also identical, the total number of goals scored counts.
- Direct encounters between teams tied on points – points – If several teams are tied, the result of the direct duels counts.
- Direct encounters between teams with the same number of points – goal difference – If the points are also identical, the goal difference from the head-to-head matches is used.
- Direct encounters between the tied teams – number of goals scored – If there is still a tie, the number of goals scored in the head-to-head matches will be assessed.
This order first prioritizes performance across all games before direct comparisons are used.
Ranking according to UEFA mode
Points > Direct comparison > Goal difference > Number of goals
UEFA, on the other hand, uses a slightly different methodology:
- Number of points – Here too, the total number of points is the first criterion.
- Number of points from direct matches between the teams with the same number of points – The direct comparison is used in second place.
- Goal difference from the direct matches between the teams with the same number of points – If the number of points from the head-to-head matches is equal, the goal difference from these matches counts.
- Number of goals scored in the direct matches between the tied teams – If there is still a tie, the number of goals scored in these matches will be assessed.
- Goal difference – Only now is the general goal difference across all matches considered.
- Number of goals scored in all group matches – If necessary, the number of goals scored is also taken into account here as the last criterion.
Different priorities: FIFA vs. UEFA
The main difference between the two systems lies in the prioritization of the direct comparison. While the FIFA first looks at the overall goal difference before looking at head-to-head matches, UEFA focuses UEFA focuses earlier on direct comparisons. This can lead to significant differences in rankings, especially in tournaments with many teams with the same number of points.
Direct comparison explained in detail
The determination of the better teams in the direct comparison can cause confusion if exactly three teams are ranked equally.
Take the following preliminary round as an example:
| Team A | Team D | 1 : 0 |
| Team B | Team C | 1 : 1 |
| Team A | Team C | 2 : 2 |
| Team D | Team B | 0: 2 |
| Team A | Team B | 1 : 1 |
| Team C | Team D | 2 : 0 |
This results in the following table, what should the ranking order be?
| Team | points | Goal difference | Goals | Ranking |
| Team A | 5 | +1 | 4 : 3 | ??? |
| Team B | 5 | +2 | 4 : 2 | ??? |
| Team C | 5 | +2 | 5 : 3 | ??? |
| Team D | 0 | -5 | 0 : 5 | 4 |
Ranking according to FIFA mode:
If you play FIFA mode, the goal difference is used in the event of a tie. Team C would be in 1st place, Team B in 2nd place and Team A in 3rd place.
Ranking according to UEFA mode:
It looks different in UEFA mode. Team A, B and C have exactly the same number of points. In UEFA mode, the direct comparison is used as the second criterion. However, this is not directly apparent, as three teams are in the same position and each has won against the other.
ATTENTION: The goal difference will not be used directly!
Solution: A separate “ranking table” must now be created, which is only calculated from the matches of these three teams.
Matches between the three tied teams (results from above are carried over):
| Team A | Team B | 1 : 1 |
| Team B | Team C | 1 : 1 |
| Team C | Team A | 2 : 2 |
Placement table:
| Team | Points | Goals | Ranking |
| A | 1 | 3 : 3 | ? |
| B | 1 | 2 : 2 | 3 |
| C | 1 | 3 : 3 | ? |
The ranking table shows that Team A and Team C are better than Team C due to the number of goals scored. Team C is therefore in 3rd place.
However, the direct comparison between Team A and Team C is exactly the same! This means that the goal difference is used next. To do this, leave the ranking table and look at the normal original table above. Here you can see that Team A with 4 : 3 goals has a slightly worse goal difference than Team C with 5 : 3 goals.
The final ranking is therefore:
| Team | Punches | Goal difference | Gates | UEFA mode ranking | FIFA mode ranking |
| Team C | 5 | +2 | 5 : 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Team A | 5 | +1 | 4 : 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Team B | 5 | +2 | 4 : 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Team D | 0 | -5 | 0 : 5 | 4 | 4 |
Conclusion
The choice of ranking system can have a significant influence on the course of the tournament. While the FIFA mode tends to place more emphasis on performance across all group matches, the UEFA mode favors direct comparisons between teams with the same number of points. Depending on the competition, these differences can decide whether a team advances or is eliminated. It is therefore important for teams and fans alike to understand the rules of the respective tournament organization.
Which system do you prefer? Write it in the comments!