In each of the 15 groups, teams played against each other in a round-robin format. The top two teams of each group advanced to the round of 32. [2]
Besides the teams receiving byes, the top 15 remaining teams from each league were placed into groups in reverse order (for example, the 2nd-ranked MLS club was drawn against the 16th-ranked Liga MX club). The remaining teams (13 MLS and 2 Liga MX) were drawn into groups and divided into geographical regions. [3]
Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a win in a penalty shoot-out, 1 point for a loss in a penalty shoot-out, 0 points for a loss in regulation). [2] If, at the end of the group stage, two or more clubs were tied in points, their positions in the table were determined according to a set of tie-breaking criteria. [4]
- In case only two teams were tied on points, the direct head-to-head match result between the tied clubs determined the ranking (for clarity, a victory on penalties was considered a win for purposes of this tiebreaker);
- In case three teams were tied on points, the following criteria would apply (if, after applying a criterion, only two teams remained tied, their head-to-head match result would determine their ranking): [a]
- Direct head-to-head match result between the tied clubs (for clarity, a victory on penalties was considered a win for purposes of this tiebreaker);
- Better overall goal differential between goals scored and goals conceded during the group stage;
- Greater number of goals scored during the group stage;
- Fewer number of goals conceded during the group stage;
- Clubs' fair-play table
- First yellow card: –1 point
- Second yellow card (indirect red card): –3 points (The first yellow card would not be considered)
- Direct red card: –3 points
- Yellow card followed by a direct red card: –4 points;
- A draw organized by the organizing committee.
Notes
- ↑ When there were two or more teams tied in points, criteria 1–6 were applied. After these criteria were applied, they may have defined the position of some of the teams involved, but not all of them. For example, if there was a three-way tie on points, the application of the first three criteria may only have broken the tie for one of the teams, leaving the other two teams to still be tied. In this case, the result between the remaining two teams would break the tie.
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