How to play

This guide explains the full flow of a match, the five decisions that change the result the most, and the typical mistakes of the first few attempts. If you have never played, read sections 1 to 4 and jump straight into /play. If you already have ten or more matches, skip to sections 5 (mistakes) and 6 (advanced modes).

1. Flow of a match

1. Pick a formation: 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, or 3-5-2. Each formation has a different profile (see section 4).
2. You receive fourteen draws: the draft deals fourteen real World Cup squads (Brazil 1970, Argentina 1986, etc.). From each squad you pick one player. You can skip three times (re-roll) if nothing convinces you.
3. Slot each player into a position: goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards. Placing a player out of their main position triggers a penalty (see section 3).
4. Play the group stage: three matches against low and medium tier opponents. If you do not win all three, you keep competing but the 7-0 is gone.
5. Knockouts: round of 16 (only if you needed the cutoff), quarter, semi, final. Each round the opponent level rises: the final brings together the thirteen legend squads (Brazil 70, Argentina 86, Spain 10, etc.).
6. If you go unbeaten without conceding: you closed the 7-0. The result page generates a shareable image, a permanent link, and a mini-ranking with your position of the day.

2. How the rating is read

Each player has a number between 65 and 96. The current distribution is:

• 95-96: historical GOAT (Pelé, Maradona, Messi, Cruyff, Beckenbauer).
• 90-94: world-class (R. Carlos, Zidane, Mbappé, Iniesta).
• 85-89: undisputed starter of a top national team.
• 80-84: solid starter of any qualified team.
• 75-79: rotation player, useful to fill gaps.

Ratings do not come from FIFA or SoFIFA: they are calibrated by hand per era and tournament (Ballon d'Or, Golden Boot, World Cup All-Star). Full methodology in /metodologia.

3. Position penalty

Each player has a main position (GK, DEF, MID, FWD) and sometimes a secondary one. The simulator applies a discount to the effective rating if you slot them out of their natural spot:

• Main position: no discount.
• Secondary position: -3 points.
• Incompatible position (a goalkeeper as forward): -8 points.

This makes the slot choice a real decision. A 96-rated Pelé played at right back performs as an 88: worse than a natural 89 right back.

4. Formation and weights

Each formation favours a part of the field:

• 4-3-3: balanced. Good for beginners and for mixed arsenals.
• 3-5-2: midfield weight (45% of the attack comes from the five midfielders). If you draw five 90+ mids, it is the optimal pick.
• 4-4-2: forward weight (60% of the attack). If you draw two elite forwards (R9-Pelé, Müller-Maradona), use it.
• 4-2-3-1: defensive. Good when the group stage went poorly and you need a clean sheet in the quarters.

5. Five typical mistakes

1. Ignoring the goalkeeper: the keeper weighs 35% of the total defence. Yashin, Banks, Buffon or Maier matter as much as any forward.
2. Collecting GOATs with no position fit: an XI of eleven out-of-position 90+ loses to an XI of well-slotted 85s. Chemistry and slot win.
3. Burning the three re-rolls early: keep at least one for draws 10-14, when you already know what you are missing.
4. Forgetting the final: tier 4 brings together thirteen legend squads. If your defence averages 82, you will not close the 7-0 against Brazil 70.
5. Not preparing for penalties: if you finish regulation without conceding but the tie ends level in a knockout, you go to shoot-out. High-rated keepers react better.

6. Advanced modes

Once you master the standard match, try these modes:

• Daily: same seed for everyone each day. Scored by your run and your streak. Rolls over at 00:00 UTC-3.
• Retos (asynchronous PvP): your match generates a link and a friend plays the same seed with their own XI. Closest to the 7-0 wins.
• Nations: filter the draft to one country only (BRA-only, ARG-only, etc.). Unlocked from /naciones.
• World Cup (year filter): only squads from a specific cup. Good for reliving 1986 or 2010 without era contamination.

7. FAQ

Why does a certain squad never come up? The draft pulls fourteen squads at random from a pool of around fifty. If a specific squad does not appear in three matches in a row, that is normal variance, not bias.

Can I save my lineup? When you share a match it is saved in a permanent link. There is no account system because the site works without registration on purpose.

Why do I lose to Costa Rica 14 with a 92-average XI? Form (±14%) plus home advantage plus special events can swing isolated matches. Once a month is within the expected range.