Pick a nation, win your group, then survive a 32-team knockout bracket — stealing a player from every team you beat. The further you go, the tougher the opposition gets.
You start by picking one of 48 national teams, each with a real squad and FIFA-style player ratings. Stronger nations start with better players, but every team is capable of a cup run. Your chosen nation also colours the whole game in its national colours.
You play three group-stage matches against random opponents. These games are your chance to build your squad: every time you win, you get to poach one player from the team you just beat and add them to your squad. Draws and losses don't earn a steal, but they don't knock you out either — the group stage is about strengthening your team before the real pressure begins.
After the group stage you enter a 32-team single-elimination bracket, just like the business end of a major tournament. From here it's win-or-go-home: lose a knockout match and your run is over. Win, and you both advance and poach another player from your beaten opponent.
Crucially, the AI teams do exactly the same thing — every AI winner steals the best player from the team it beats. That means the deeper into the bracket you go, the stronger your opponents become, because they've been absorbing talent round by round. Use the Scout opponent button before each match to see exactly who you're up against.
Before every match you can change your formation and set your starting eleven. Tap a slot on the pitch, then tap a player to place them. Each slot asks for a specific role, and playing a player out of their role lowers their effectiveness (shown with a ⚠). Use Auto-pick to instantly field your strongest legal lineup.
Results are based on your team's overall rating versus your opponent's, plus a healthy dose of chance. A higher-rated team has a better chance of winning — but it is never guaranteed. Match-day form and the run of play mean underdogs can and do pull off upsets, and favourites occasionally slip up. Scorelines are generated by a goal-scoring model, so anything from a nervy 1–0 to a thrashing is possible.
Each run gives you a single replay. If you lose or draw a match, you can spend your one replay to go back, adjust your lineup or formation, and play that match again for a fresh result. Use it wisely — you only get one per run.