Beat the Gaffer · WC 2026

How to Play

Meet your opponent

The Gaffer

Hear from The Gaffer himself0:23

The Gaffer is an AI pundit with an opinion on everything. Before the tournament starts, he calls the exact scoreline for all 72 group stage games – and he's not shy about it.

His picks are public, his record is tracked, and he'll have something to say after every result. Your job is to outsmart him.

The Gaffer

Quick Start

Pick a scoreline for every World Cup game before it kicks off. The Gaffer – an AI pundit – does the same. Score more points than him on a match and you earn a bonus. Most points when the group stage ends wins.

No squads to manage, no transfers to forget, no points-per-player to track. Just the scores, your mates, and one very smug expert to beat.

Getting Started

1
Pick a scoreline for every game
Before each match kicks off, enter your predicted score – e.g. Brazil 2–1 France. You can update your picks any time until kick-off.
2
Come back for every round
It's not a one-off submission. Knockout fixtures open as teams qualify – you'll need to pick the Round of 32, Quarter-Finals, Semis, and the Final as they're confirmed. Yes, it's more upfront work. It's also what makes it worth it.
3
Earn points when results come in
You score points based on how close you were. Get the right winner or draw and you're in the money. Nail the exact score and you bank the maximum.
4
Beat the Gaffer to earn a bonus
The Gaffer scores points too. If you outscore him on a specific match, you pocket a +2 bonus on top. That's the whole game – be smarter than the AI.
5
Climb the leaderboard
Points accumulate across all 72 group stage games. The table is live throughout the tournament. Top of the board when the group stage ends – you win.

Points Breakdown

+5
Exact score
You called it perfectly – right teams, right goals
+3
Right result + goal difference
Correct winner or draw, and the GD matches
+2
Right result
Correct winner or draw, but GD was different
+2
Beat the Gaffer bonus
You scored more points than him on this match
+1
Gut Check bonus
You backed the pick in the 2h window before kick-off and it came in
0
Wrong result
The wrong team won, or you missed the draw

Worked example

One match, both cards scored side by side. The result comes in – here’s how the points land.

Full timeBrazil2–1Serbia
The Gaffer2–0Right result, goal difference off
+2
You2–1Exact score
+5+2 Beat the Gaffer
You bank 7 points (5 exact + 2 for beating him) to his 2. You’re 5 clear on one match.

The Banker ⭐

Each round, you can mark one pick as your Banker. Your base points for that match are doubled. Choose wisely – you only get one per round and you can't change it after kick-off.

⭐ 2×Tap this on any pick with a score entered

Knockout Rounds: The 90-Minute Rule

From the Round of 32 onwards, your pick is judged on the score after 90 minutes. Goals in extra time and penalty shootouts don’t count towards your points.

  • A game decided on penalties counts as a draw. If it’s 1–1 after 90 minutes and goes to a shootout, the result for scoring is a 1–1 draw. Pick the draw and you’ve got the right result; pick 1–1 and that’s the exact score, full 5 points.
  • You can pick a draw in a knockout game. It’s often the sharp call – tight knockout ties go the distance more than people think.
  • Who goes through is separate. The team that progresses in the bracket – and the winner of the Final – is the official winner after extra time and penalties. Your points are judged on 90 minutes; the tournament moves on with the real winner.

Everything else works exactly as in the group stage: the Banker doubles your base points, the +2 Beat the Gaffer bonus applies, and the Gaffer is judged on the same 90-minute score as you.

Daily Features

Three mechanics that reward you for coming back every day, not just before the tournament started.

🔥
Day Streak
Every day you visit, your streak grows. Miss a day and it resets. Your current streak and personal best are shown on your Profile. Milestones at 3, 5, 25, 30, and 39 days (the full tournament) unlock named badges.
📡
Gaffer Intel
Your Intel level runs from 0 to 100. It starts at full and drops 15 points for every day you don't visit. Come back and it restores to 100 immediately. Your Intel level is shown on your Profile as a coloured meter.
💪
Gut Check
In the 2 hours before each kick-off, a Gut Check panel appears on your fixture cards. Tap "Back It" if you're still confident in your pick. Get it right and earn a bonus +1pt on top of your usual score. Tap "Doubt It" if you've changed your mind – no penalty, no bonus.

The Gaffer's Confidence

Every Gaffer pick comes with a confidence rating. The higher his confidence, the more embarrassing it is when he gets it wrong.

!!!
Nailed onHe'd bet the house on it
++
ConfidentExpects this to come in
?
UncertainEven he's not sure

FAQ

Can I change my picks after I submit them?
Yes – any time up until the match kicks off. Your pick locks at kick-off.
What if I forget to pick a game?
You get 0pts for that match. No penalty, you just miss out. There's no catch-up.
Who exactly is the Gaffer?
An AI pundit. He's called every single game before the tournament started – all 72 group stage fixtures and the full knockout stage. His picks are completely public on The Gaffer page. He has an opinion on everything and isn't shy about it.
How is the Beat the Gaffer bonus calculated?
The Gaffer earns points on each game using the same scoring system as you. If your points on a specific match are higher than his, you get +2 on top of your base points.
Why did I get different points for two games I called correctly?
Two things vary: how close your scoreline was, and whether you beat the Gaffer. Right result is 2pts. Right result AND the winning margin (say a 1–0 call on a 2–1 win) is 3pts. The exact score is 5pts. Then if your points on that match are higher than the Gaffer’s, you get +2 on top. So a 1–0 call on a 2–1 game where the Gaffer scored nothing pays 3 + 2 = 5pts, while the same call on a 2–0 game he nailed pays 2pts flat. Every settled card on your picks page shows this breakdown under your score.
Does the Banker double the Beat the Gaffer bonus too?
No – the Banker doubles your base points (the 0/2/3/5 you earn for the result), but the +2 Beat the Gaffer bonus is not doubled.
What happens if a knockout game goes to extra time or penalties?
Your pick is judged on the score after 90 minutes. A game that finishes level and goes to extra time or penalties counts as a draw at that scoreline – so a 1–1 pick on a game that ends 1–1 then goes to a shootout is the exact score. The team that progresses in the bracket is the official winner after extra time and penalties.
What is the tournament winner pick?
On your Profile page you can pick one team to win the whole tournament. If they go all the way and lift the trophy, you earn +20 bonus points when the Final is scored – and that means lifting the trophy by any route, including a penalty shootout. Set it before the knockout rounds start.
What happens after the group stage?
The knockout rounds open up – Round of 32 through to the Final. Same rules: pick a scoreline, earn points, beat the Gaffer. Knockout fixtures appear on your picks page once the teams are confirmed.
How do I play in a private league with friends?
Go to Leagues from the nav and create a league. Share the 6-character invite code with your group. Everyone who joins gets a private leaderboard with round-by-round scores, H2H stats, and a rivalry tracker. You can be in multiple leagues.
Can I get a notification when my picks are scored?
Yes. On your Profile page, tap "Get score alerts" to enable push notifications in your browser. You'll get a ping when your points update. You'll also receive an email round recap automatically once all games in a round are finished.
Can I see what other players picked?
After a match kicks off, the outcome split (home/draw/away) and the most popular scorelines are shown on the picks page. Full individual picks are visible on each player's public profile once the game has started.
What's on the Profile page?
Your total points, rank, prediction accuracy, and a heatmap of all 72 fixtures colour-coded by outcome (green = exact, teal = correct result, red = wrong, grey = pending). You can also see your Day Streak, Gaffer Intel meter, prediction tendencies, record vs the Gaffer, and your best single pick.
What is the Day Streak?
Every day you visit the site, your streak counter goes up. Miss a day and it resets to zero. Your current streak and personal best are on your Profile. 3 days: On a Roll. 5 days: Loyal Lion. 25 days: Faithful Fan. 30 days: Iron Gaffer. 39 days: The Full 39 -- every day of the tournament.
What is Gaffer Intel?
Your Intel level is a score from 0 to 100 shown on your Profile. It starts at 100 and drops 15 points for every day you don't log in. Come back on any day and it restores to full immediately. Think of it as a measure of how plugged in to the tournament you are.
What is the Gut Check?
In the 2-hour window before any game kicks off, a "Gut Check" strip appears on your pick card. Tap Back It if you're still confident. If the pick comes in, you earn a bonus +1pt on top of your normal score. Tap Doubt It if you've had second thoughts – nothing changes either way. Miss the window and there's no bonus available for that match.
How do I invite friends?
Share this link: worldcup.beatthegaffer.com/invite – it shows them the game concept, a taste of the Gaffer's predictions, and a sign-up button. There's also an "Invite a friend" link at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Is it free?
Completely free. No subscription, no entry fee.
I signed up but nothing is happening yet – is that normal?
Yes. The tournament starts 11 June. Submit your 72 picks before each game kicks off – you can do all of them now. The Gaffer's picks are already in, visible on The Gaffer page.

Never miss a kick-off

Add all 72 fixtures to your calendar. Each event includes the Gaffer’s prediction.

📅 Google Calendar🍎 Apple Calendar⬇ Download .ics
See The Gaffer's picks →Play free