世界杯小组赛的32支参赛队分为八个小组，每组四队进行比赛。每支球队都必须和其他三支球队进行且只进行一场比赛，胜者得三分，负者不得分，打平双方各得一分。每个小组的前两名出线.进入第二阶段淘汰赛。

出线规则

附：官方原文

出线规则

小组赛出线规则如下：

a、积分高者排名靠前

b、小组中总净胜球高者排名靠前

c、小组中总进球数高者排名靠前

如果按照以上规则仍有两支或两支以上的球队并列，则按以下顺序依次比较以确定排名先后：

d、比较并列几队之间相互比赛的得分高低。如果仍然相等，则：

e、比较并列的几队之间相互比赛的净胜球多少。如果仍然相等，则：

f、比较并列的几队之间相互比赛的进球数多少。如果仍然相等，则：

g、抽签。

每个小组前两名球队出线，进入淘汰赛阶段。其中，每个小组最后一轮两场比赛必须同时开球。

附：官方原文

6. In the league format, the ranking in each group is determined as follows:

a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;

b) goal difference in all group matches;

c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their

rankings will be determined as follows:

d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the

teams concerned;

e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams

concerned;

f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams

concerned;

g) drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.