The 2026 World Cup knockout stage begins on July 3, 2026 with the Round of 32 — a new addition to the World Cup format. The expanded tournament creates an additional round of eliminaton knockout fixtures.
Knockout Stage Structure
After the group stage (64 matches), 40 teams enter the knockout rounds. The structure is: Round of 32 (July 3-6) → Round of 16 (July 8-11) → Quarter-finals (July 13-14) → Semi-finals (July 17) → Final (July 19).
Round of 32 Bracket
The Round of 32 is a new feature of the 2026 World Cup, introduced due to the expanded 48-team format. Group winners and runners-up are seeded to avoid early rematches between strong teams from the same confederation.
Elimination Format
All knockout matches use 90 minutes of regular time, followed by 30 minutes of extra time if level, and then a penalty shootout if still tied. No away goals rule applies.
Final Venue
The 2026 World Cup Final takes place at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) on July 19, 2026. The stadium has a capacity of 82,500 and is the largest venue in the USA.