local
What to know about World Cup tiebreakers and how teams can advance to the knockout phase
By JAMES ROBSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA (AP) — The World Cup has reached that stage when mental gymnastics come into play to determine who's in, who's out and what's needed to advance to the next round. This year's supersized tournament, up from 32 teams to 48, has changed the format of the competition and how teams are separat...
Key takeaway This year's supersized tournament, up from 32 teams to 48, has changed the format of the competition and how teams are separated by tiebreakers [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
For Valley residents, the World Cup's complex tiebreaker system may seem daunting, but it's a crucial aspect of the tournament that can make or break a team's chances. As the Rio Grande Valley is home to a diverse population with strong ties to various countries, many locals will be closely watching the standings to see how their favorite teams fare. The expanded 48-team format has added an extra layer of complexity to the competition, making each match and tiebreaker crucial in determining which teams will advance to the knockout phase. As fans gather in McAllen 's restaurants, bars, and living rooms to watch the games, they'll be paying close attention to the intricacies of the tiebreaker system, hoping their team will emerge victorious and move on to the next round. The Valley's strong soccer culture will be on full display as fans cheer on their teams and navigate the tournament's twists and turns.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA (AP) — The World Cup has reached that stage when mental gymnastics come into play to determine who's in, who's out and what's needed to advance to the next round. This year's supersized tournament, up from 32 teams to 48, has changed the format of the competition and how teams are separat...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JAMES ROBSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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