World Cup 2026 Hub

Knockout Bracket

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

Pairings shown for slots that haven't qualified yet are provisional - real teams, scores, and confirmed kickoff times fill in automatically as group and knockout results come in.

Round of 32

16 matches

Sun, Jun 28, 3:00 PM ET
Runner-up Group A
Runner-up Group B
Mon, Jun 29, 1:00 PM ET
Winner Group C
Runner-up Group F
Mon, Jun 29, 4:30 PM ET
Winner Group E
3rd Place Group A/B/C/D/F
Mon, Jun 29, 9:00 PM ET
Winner Group F
Runner-up Group C
Tue, Jun 30, 1:00 PM ET
Runner-up Group E
Runner-up Group I
Tue, Jun 30, 5:00 PM ET
Winner Group I
3rd Place Group C/D/F/G/H
Tue, Jun 30, 9:00 PM ET
Winner Group A
3rd Place Group C/E/F/H/I
Wed, Jul 1, 12:00 PM ET
Winner Group L
3rd Place Group E/H/I/J/K
Wed, Jul 1, 4:00 PM ET
Winner Group G
3rd Place Group A/E/H/I/J
Wed, Jul 1, 8:00 PM ET
Winner Group D
3rd Place Group B/E/F/I/J
Thu, Jul 2, 3:00 PM ET
Winner Group H
Runner-up Group J
Thu, Jul 2, 7:00 PM ET
Runner-up Group K
Runner-up Group L
Thu, Jul 2, 11:00 PM ET
Winner Group B
3rd Place Group E/F/G/I/J
Fri, Jul 3, 2:00 PM ET
Runner-up Group D
Runner-up Group G
Fri, Jul 3, 6:00 PM ET
Winner Group J
Runner-up Group H
Fri, Jul 3, 9:30 PM ET
Winner Group K
3rd Place Group D/E/I/J/L

Round of 16

8 matches

Sat, Jul 4, 1:00 PM ET
Winner R32-1
Winner R32-4
Sat, Jul 4, 5:00 PM ET
Winner R32-3
Winner R32-6
Sun, Jul 5, 4:00 PM ET
Winner R32-2
Winner R32-5
Sun, Jul 5, 8:00 PM ET
Winner R32-7
Winner R32-8
Mon, Jul 6, 3:00 PM ET
Winner R32-12
Winner R32-11
Mon, Jul 6, 8:00 PM ET
Winner R32-10
Winner R32-9
Tue, Jul 7, 12:00 PM ET
Winner R32-15
Winner R32-14
Tue, Jul 7, 4:00 PM ET
Winner R32-13
Winner R32-16

Quarter-finals

4 matches

Thu, Jul 9, 4:00 PM ET
Winner R16-2
Winner R16-1
Fri, Jul 10, 3:00 PM ET
Winner R16-5
Winner R16-6
Sat, Jul 11, 5:00 PM ET
Winner R16-3
Winner R16-4
Sat, Jul 11, 9:00 PM ET
Winner R16-7
Winner R16-8

Semi-finals

2 matches

Tue, Jul 14, 3:00 PM ET
Winner QF-1
Winner QF-2
Wed, Jul 15, 3:00 PM ET
Winner QF-3
Winner QF-4

Third Place

1 match

Sat, Jul 18, 5:00 PM ET
Loser SF-1
Loser SF-2

Final

1 match

Sun, Jul 19, 3:00 PM ET
Winner SF-1
Winner SF-2

How to read the bracket

Before teams qualify

  • Winner Group A = group winner
  • Runner-up Group A = group 2nd
  • Winner R32-1 = winner of a Round of 32 tie

As results come in

  • Confirmed teams appear with their crest
  • The advancing team is shown in bold
  • FT (pens) = decided on penalties

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.