The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking shape. The tournament opens with a round of 32 played from June 28 to July 3.
Under the new format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, qualify for the knockout rounds. This marks the first time a 32-team round has occurred at a World Cup since the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams.
Match schedule:
- Group stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28 - July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11
- Semifinals: July 14-15
- Third-place playoff: July 18
- Final: July 19
FIFA has changed the tiebreakers for the group stage: For the first time at a World Cup, head-to-head results are prioritized over goal difference when teams are level on points. The order of criteria is: head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored; if still tied, overall goal difference, overall goals scored, disciplinary points, and finally the FIFA ranking.
For the eight best third-placed teams, the priority order is: points, goal difference, goals scored, disciplinary points, and the FIFA ranking.
Teams that have qualified for the round of 32:
⚽️ Mexico (Group A): The co-hosts are the first team to secure a knockout berth after beating South Korea 1-0 on June 18, topping Group A. They previously won the opener 2-0 against South Africa.
⚽️ United States (Group D): The second team to qualify following a 2-0 victory over Australia on June 19. The US had thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match.
Teams eliminated:
⚽️ Haiti (Group C): Haiti became the first team eliminated after losing 3-0 to Brazil on June 19. This was their first World Cup appearance since 1974, and they also lost 1-0 to Scotland in their opener.
⚽️ Turkey (Group D): Eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Paraguay despite the opposition being reduced to 10 men on June 19. They also suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Australia in their first match of the tournament, their first World Cup in 24 years.
Haiti and Turkey were eliminated because they could not catch the third-placed teams in their groups, having lost directly to those teams.
