The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the second and final stage of the competition, following the group stage. Played from June 28 to July 19, 2026, the knockout stage will end with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
โฝ Teams and Format
The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination tournament. There will be 32 matches in the knockout stage, including a match for third place.
โฑ๏ธ Match Rules
Matches in the knockout stage will be played to a finish. If the score of a match is level at the end of 90 minutes of playing time, 30 minutes of extra time will be played. If the scores were still tied, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.
๐ Round of 32 Matchups
In the round of 32, four of the group winners play group runners up. The other eight group winners play advancing 3rd-placed teams. The remaining group runners up play other group runners up.
๐ข Third-Place Combinations
The specific matchups involving the third-placed teams depend on which eight third-placed teams qualify for the round of 32. The 495 possible combinations were published in Annex C of the tournament regulations.
| Stage | Dates | Teams | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knockout Stage | June 28 to July 19, 2026 | 32 | 32 (including third place) |
| Final Location | July 19, 2026 | 2 | 1 |
| Extra Time | 30 minutes | If tied after 90 min | Penalty shootout if still tied |
| Round of 32 | First knockout round | Group winners, runners-up, best 8 third-placed | 16 matches |