World Cup Hub

Knockout Bracket

The full knockout stage bracket from the Round of 32 through to the Final. 32 teams compete in single-elimination matches.

Round of 32

16 matches

R32-1
1A
2C
TBD
R32-2
1B
3A/B/C
TBD
R32-3
1C
2A
TBD
R32-4
1D
3B/E/F
TBD
R32-5
1E
2G
TBD
R32-6
1F
3A/D/E
TBD
R32-7
1G
2E
TBD
R32-8
1H
3C/D/G
TBD
R32-9
1I
2K
TBD
R32-10
1J
3H/I/J
TBD
R32-11
1K
2I
TBD
R32-12
1L
3I/K/L
TBD
R32-13
2B
2D
TBD
R32-14
2F
2H
TBD
R32-15
2J
2L
TBD
R32-16
3E/F/G
3H/J/L
TBD

Round of 16

8 matches

R16-1
W R32-1
W R32-2
TBD
R16-2
W R32-3
W R32-4
TBD
R16-3
W R32-5
W R32-6
TBD
R16-4
W R32-7
W R32-8
TBD
R16-5
W R32-9
W R32-10
TBD
R16-6
W R32-11
W R32-12
TBD
R16-7
W R32-13
W R32-14
TBD
R16-8
W R32-15
W R32-16
TBD

Quarter-finals

4 matches

QF-1
W R16-1
W R16-2
TBD
QF-2
W R16-3
W R16-4
TBD
QF-3
W R16-5
W R16-6
TBD
QF-4
W R16-7
W R16-8
TBD

Semi-finals

2 matches

SF-1
W QF-1
W QF-2
TBD
SF-2
W QF-3
W QF-4
TBD

Third Place

1 match

3RD
L SF-1
L SF-2
TBD

Final

1 match

F
W SF-1
W SF-2
TBD

Qualification Path Key

Group Labels

  • 1A = Winner of Group A
  • 2A = Runner-up of Group A
  • 3A/B/C = Best 3rd from Groups A, B, or C

Knockout Labels

  • W R32-1 = Winner of R32 Match 1
  • W QF-2 = Winner of Quarter-final 2
  • L SF-1 = Loser of Semi-final 1

Tournament Format

  • 48 teams in 12 groups of 4
  • Top 2 per group advance (24 teams)
  • 8 best 3rd-place teams also advance
  • 32 teams enter the knockout stage

How the World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Works

The 2026 football World Cup introduces a new expanded knockout format. After the group stage, the top 2 teams from each of the 12 groups advance automatically (24 teams), joined by the 8 best third-place finishers to make 32 teams. From the Round of 32 onward, it is single-elimination. The bracket culminates in the Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.

The knockout bracket will be updated with actual teams and scores once the group stage is complete. Match times and venues will be confirmed by FIFA closer to each round.