[OC] I wrote 5,000 lines of code to simulate the new 48-team World Cup format because the math is a nightmare. It handles the ‘Deadlock Prevention’, specific Playoff Paths, and the ‘Best 3rd Place’ table logic. Roast my bracket.

Hey everyone,

With the new 48-team format coming in 2026, I realized most 'bracket predictors' are broken. They don't account for the new FIFA pot constraints, the complex 3rd-place table, or the specific Playoff paths.

So, I built wc2026 app to be the most accurate simulator possible. Here is why this was a technical headache to build and why I think it's the best tool for fans right now:

1. The 'Deadlock' Algorithm (Bipartite Matching)
The hardest part of the Draw isn't picking balls; it's ensuring the next pots don't get stuck.

• The Feature: I implemented a look-ahead algorithm (using Bipartite Matching) that prevents you from placing a team in a group if it would mathematically force an invalid group later in Pot 4.
• The Constraint: It also enforces the specific FIFA rule that top seeds like Spain/Argentina and France/England must be in opposite halves of the bracket (A-F vs G-L).

2. Real Playoff Path Simulation

• The Feature: Instead of just having "Winner Playoff A," my app simulates the actual matchups.
• The Detail: It includes the logic for the Intercontinental Playoffs and the UEFA Paths. You can manually pick winners (e.g., make Ukraine beat Sweden) or let the Elo-based engine simulate the result.

3. The 'Best 3rd Place' Nightmare

• The Feature: The Round of 32 matchups depend entirely on which groups provide the best 3rd-place teams.
• The Logic: I coded the full lookup table (R32_TABLE) so the bracket dynamically adjusts. If Group A, B, and C provide the 3rd place teams, the matchups shift automatically to avoid group rematches.

4. Travel & Logistics

• The Feature: Since the tournament covers an entire continent, I added a venue database.
• The Detail: If you click a match in the schedule, it actually pulls up the venue (e.g., Arrowhead Stadium) and even estimates hotel price tiers for that city.

5. Shareable 'Receipts'

• The Feature: The app generates a high-res image of your specific bracket or group of death so you can save it before the actual draw happens.

It’s open for everyone to mess around with. I’d love to see if you can generate a harder 'Group of Death' than the one I found (France, Uruguay, Ivory Coast, Italy).

Link is in the comments!