Group stage
Encyclopedia
A group stage is the round-robin
stage of many sporting championships, particularly a sports' World Cup
. The name implies that there is also a knock out
stage to follow. For example in both the FIFA World Cup
and Rugby World Cup
the teams are split into groups (also known as pools) where they play each team in their group once under a round robin
system. Points are earned during group play in order to rank the teams within a group. The top ranked teams (often the top two) from each group then proceed to the tournament's knock out phase. From there the tournament continues under a knock out system until the winner is found.
In international competition and some club competitions, group play consists of a single match against each opponent in the group. In other club competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League
, each club has two matches - one home and one away - against each opponent.
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
stage of many sporting championships, particularly a sports' World Cup
World Cup
A World Cup is a type of sporting competition.World Cup commonly refers to:*FIFA World Cup *ICC Cricket World Cup*Rugby World Cup World Cup can also refer to:-Baseball and softball:...
. The name implies that there is also a knock out
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
stage to follow. For example in both the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
the teams are split into groups (also known as pools) where they play each team in their group once under a round robin
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
system. Points are earned during group play in order to rank the teams within a group. The top ranked teams (often the top two) from each group then proceed to the tournament's knock out phase. From there the tournament continues under a knock out system until the winner is found.
Association football
Group stage usually consists of four teams where the two teams with the most points qualify. If points are level the top 2 teams would be decided on goal difference. If goal difference is level, then it goes onto goals scored.In international competition and some club competitions, group play consists of a single match against each opponent in the group. In other club competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, each club has two matches - one home and one away - against each opponent.