What is World Cup Last Man Standing?

World Cup Last Man Standing is a prediction game for the 2026 World Cup where you pick one nation to win each matchday. You can only use each nation once for the whole tournament. If your pick wins, you survive to the next round. If they lose or draw, you are eliminated. The last player standing wins the prize.

How is it different from a normal World Cup sweepstake?

A sweepstake draws you a random team and you are stuck with it. Last Man Standing is a game of skill: you choose a different nation every matchday based on form, fixtures, and who you want to save for later. It keeps you involved for the whole tournament instead of being knocked out when your one random team goes home.

When does the 2026 World Cup competition run?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the USA, Canada and Mexico, with 48 nations competing. Our Last Man Standing competition follows the tournament from the group stage through the knockouts.

How much does it cost to enter?

Entry is £20 for the World Cup competition, with a guaranteed minimum prize pot. If you are knocked out during the group stage you can buy back in once for £10 to get a second life.

Do draws count in the World Cup?

Yes. In the group stage a draw eliminates you, just like a loss, so a 0-0 is no good to you. In the knockout rounds the result after extra time and penalties is what counts, so your nation only needs to progress to keep you alive.

What happens if my team plays a draw in the knockouts?

In knockout matches the team that progresses is treated as the winner, so if your nation wins on penalties or after extra time you survive. Only the side that is knocked out of the tournament counts as a loss for your pick.

FIFA World Cup 2026 · 11 Jun to 19 Jul

World Cup Last Man Standing

Conor Hutchins·LMS HQ Founder

Writes the weekly picks from Leeds

Pick one nation each matchday. Use each country once. Last player standing wins

The gist

Each matchday you back one nation to win. Win and you go through. Draw or lose in the groups and you are out. The catch: every country can only be used once all tournament. Way better than a sweepstake where you are stuck with a random team

How it works

Enter

£20 in, you are set for the whole tournament

Pick

One nation per matchday, each usable only once

Survive

Win to advance, with one £10 buy back in the groups

Win

Last one standing takes the pot, shared if it is a tie

The rules

One pick a matchday, each nation usable once
Groups: your team must win, a draw is out
Knockouts: whoever progresses counts, so extra time and pens are fine
Miss the deadline and you are eliminated
One £10 buy back in the group stage for a second life

2026 at a glance

48 nations, USA, Canada and Mexico, 11 Jun to 19 Jul
12 groups (A to L), three group matchdays each
Round of 32 onwards is straight knockout

Quick tips

Save the favourites and do not waste Brazil or France on day one
Hunt mismatches like a big side against a minnow on matchday one
Dodge dead rubbers where qualified teams rotate and switch off
Plan ahead and know who you are saving for the knockouts

Ready for the World Cup?

£20 to enter, with a guaranteed minimum prize for the last player standing