The 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 48 teams, is moving toward its knockout phase, starting this Sunday. Only 32 teams will advance to the next round of the world's most prestigious tournament. This is the first time the World Cup has expanded to 48 participants, and several debutants have made a strong impression.
Knockout stage format
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, qualify for the knockout stage. The round of 32 debuts at the World Cup after the expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
After the round of 32 comes the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the third-place match. The final is set for July 19.
The schedule for each round is as follows:
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
- Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11
- Semifinals: July 14 – July 15
- Third-place match: July 18
- Final: July 19
Teams that have secured a spot in the round of 32
So far, 26 teams have officially qualified: Colombia, Argentina, France, Norway, Germany, United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Australia, Spain, Cape Verde, Paraguay, Egypt, England, Ghana, and Portugal.
Round of 32 match schedule
Sunday, June 28
- South Africa vs Canada, 12:00 (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, USA
Monday, June 29
- Brazil vs Japan, 12:00 (17:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, USA
- Germany vs Paraguay, 16:30 (20:30 GMT) – Boston Stadium, USA
- Netherlands vs Morocco, 19:00 (01:00 GMT+1) – Estadio Monterrey, Mexico
Tuesday, June 30
- Ivory Coast vs Norway, 12:00 (17:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, USA
- France vs Sweden, 17:00 (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, USA
- Mexico vs Third-placed team from Groups 3C/3E/3F/3H/3I, 19:00 (02:00 GMT+1) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico
Wednesday, July 1
- United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 17:00 (01:00 GMT+1) – San Francisco Stadium, USA
- Group L winner vs Third-placed team from Groups 3EHIJK, 12:00 (16:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, USA
- Group G winner vs Third-placed team from Groups 3AEHIJ, 13:00 (20:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, USA
Thursday, July 2
- Spain vs Group J runner-up, 12:00 (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, USA
- Group K runner-up vs Group L runner-up, 19:00 (23:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Canada
- Switzerland vs Third-placed team from Groups 3EFGIJ, 20:00 (03:00 GMT+1) – Vancouver Stadium, Canada
Friday, July 3
- Australia vs Group G runner-up, 13:00 (18:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, USA
- Argentina vs Cape Verde, 18:00 (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, USA
- Group K winner vs Third-placed team from Groups 3DEIJL, 20:30 (01:30 GMT+1) – Kansas City Stadium, USA
