The Basics

Football Pontoon is a game for enjoying alongside the 2026 men's football World Cup. Get as close to 21 as you can — like the card game, but with football goals.

How to Play

• Pick exactly 4 teams before the deadline
• Every goal your teams score counts toward your total
• Get as close to 21 as possible without going over

What Counts

• Goals in normal time (90 mins) — YES
• Goals in extra time — YES
• Penalty shootout goals — NO
• Own goals count for the OPPOSING team

Winning & Losing

• Winner: closest to 21 without going over
• Bust: go over 21 and you're out
• Stuck: all your teams eliminated
• Tiebreaker: players level on goals are split by who reached that total first — the earlier your goals got you there, the higher you place
• Wooden Spoon: there's always one: the most goals (the biggest bust) if anyone's gone over, otherwise the fewest goals. Shared only if the tied picks were identical

What a game looks like

Once the tournament kicks off, your game becomes a live table — closest to 21 on top, anyone who's gone bust at the bottom, updated as the goals go in. Here's a fictional one to show the idea.