British Foosball Association

Tournaments - Running Events

Event Format - World Cup

Matches drawn using football world cup style group stages to reduce the number of teams that go on to compete in the knockout phases (not to replace the knockout stages).

World Cup format seems to be the most popular with everyone (possibly except those expecting to win) as players get more matches before the knockout stages begin, and the more novice players get the opportunity to play better opposition without needing to win every match to stay in the tournament.

World Cup charts can be downloaded below (courtesy of Geoff Bryce):

• 4 Team Group Chart
• 5 Team Group Chart
• 6 Team Group Chart
• 7 Team Group Chart
• 8 Team Group Chart
• 9 Team Group Chart
• Qualifying Teamsheet

Each WC groups will usually be given their own table to play all their group stage matches on, with everyone playing everyone else. Playing 1 game first to 5 goals ensures a quick pace of matches, typically expect 2-3 hours for groups of 6 teams on a single table, with larger groups taking longer in proportion to the number of additional games.

Once the group stages are complete, the top 2-4 teams from each group goes through to either a straight knockout or Double Elimination knockout. It is usual to arrange it so that the number of teams proceeding through to the knockout stage is a multiple of 2 i.e. 8, 16, 32 etc.