The World Cup Game: Expansion Set 3

About this expansion

The World Cup Game: Expansion Set 3 is a 2008 expansion for 3–12 players, with games lasting about 90 minutes. Released in February 2008, it adds four boards that bring different historical World Cup and European Championship formats to the World Cup Game experience.

This set focuses on two unusual World Cup structures. The Brazil 1950 board features 13 teams divided very unequally after some qualified teams refused to attend. It also recreates the only World Cup decided using a Final Pool format.

Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990 each feature 24 teams, with 16 advancing to the next stage. Six groups of four lead into a Round of 16, and the four best third-place teams also progress. As a result, elimination in the first round is unlikely in either game.

• Brazil 1950: an unusually uneven tournament structure and Final Pool format.
• Mexico 1986: six groups of four followed by a Round of 16.
• Italy 1990: another 24-team tournament with four best third-place teams advancing.
• Euro 2008: choose your own team rankings or use the designer’s predetermined rankings.

The rules include a table showing which third-place teams play which group winners in the Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990 games. This helps apply the distinctive progression system used by both tournaments.

Euro 2008 adds a different kind of flexibility, allowing players to determine their own team rankings. For players who prefer a ready-made setup, the designer has also supplied predetermined rankings. Together, these four boards give The World Cup Game: Expansion Set 3 several distinctive ways to explore tournament history.