2026 World Cup Bracket: Round of 32 to the Final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket — Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final, with venues and dates for every knockout match.
The 2026 World Cup Knockout Bracket
After the group stage ends on June 27, the knockout stage takes over. For the first time it begins with a Round of 32 — 32 teams in a single-elimination bracket that ends with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Every knockout match is win-or-go-home. If the score is level after 90 minutes, teams play 30 minutes of extra time; if still level, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
| Round | Dates | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3 | 32 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – 7 | 16 |
| Quarterfinals | July 9 – 11 | 8 |
| Semifinals | July 14 – 15 | 4 |
| Third-place match | July 18 | 2 |
| Final | July 19 | 2 |
How the Bracket Is Built
The 32 knockout teams are the group winners and runners-up (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams. Because which third-placed teams qualify isn't known until the group stage ends, the bracket uses placeholder slots — e.g. "Winner Group A vs 3rd-placed team".
The two top seeds — Spain and Argentina — were placed in opposite halves of the bracket, as were France and England. So if they all win their groups, those pairs can only meet late (in the semifinals or final).
Round of 32 Fixtures (June 28 – July 3)
These are the 16 Round-of-32 matchups and their host cities. Specific teams fill in as each group is decided — track the group standings to see who lands where.
| Match | Fixture | City | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Runner-up A vs Runner-up B | Foxborough | June 29 |
| 74 | Winner C vs Runner-up F | East Rutherford | June 30 |
| 75 | Winner E vs 3rd-placed team | East Rutherford | June 30 |
| 76 | Winner F vs Runner-up C | Arlington | June 30 |
| 77 | Runner-up E vs Runner-up I | East Rutherford | June 30 |
| 78 | Winner I vs 3rd-placed team | Inglewood | June 28 |
| 79 | Winner A vs 3rd-placed team | Guadalupe | June 29 |
| 80 | Winner L vs 3rd-placed team | Santa Clara | July 1 |
| 81 | Winner G vs 3rd-placed team | Seattle | July 1 |
| 82 | Winner D vs 3rd-placed team | Houston | June 29 |
| 83 | Winner H vs Runner-up J | Arlington | July 2 |
| 84 | Runner-up K vs Runner-up L | Inglewood | July 2 |
| 85 | Winner B vs 3rd-placed team | Atlanta | July 1 |
| 86 | Runner-up D vs Runner-up G | Arlington | July 3 |
| 87 | Winner J vs Runner-up H | Vancouver | July 2 |
| 88 | Winner K vs 3rd-placed team | Kansas City | July 3 |
Round of 16 (July 4 – 7)
The 16 Round-of-32 winners pair up across seven host cities.
| City | Date |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | July 4 |
| Houston | July 4 |
| East Rutherford | July 5 |
| Mexico City | July 5 |
| Seattle | July 6 |
| Arlington | July 6 |
| Vancouver | July 7 |
| Atlanta | July 7 |
Quarterfinals (July 9 – 11)
| City | Date |
|---|---|
| Foxborough | July 9 |
| Inglewood | July 10 |
| Miami Gardens | July 11 |
| Kansas City | July 11 |
Semifinals (July 14 – 15)
| Match | City | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | Arlington | July 14 |
| Semifinal 2 | Atlanta | July 15 |
Final and Third-Place Match
| Match | City | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Third-place match | Miami Gardens | July 18 |
| Final | East Rutherford (MetLife Stadium) | July 19 |
The final at MetLife Stadium will also feature the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show at a World Cup, headlined by Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup knockout stage start?
The Round of 32 begins on June 28, 2026, the day after the group stage ends.
How many teams are in the knockout stage?
32 teams — the top two from each of the 12 groups (24) plus the eight best third-placed teams.
Where is the 2026 World Cup final?
At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (the New York/New Jersey host city) on July 19, 2026.
What happens if a knockout match is a draw?
Teams play 30 minutes of extra time. If still level, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
How does the bracket keep top teams apart?
The draw seeded the top-ranked teams into different halves of the bracket, so strong sides like Spain, Argentina, France and England can only meet in the semifinals or final if they all win their groups.
Note: FIFA Super Soccer Wiki is an independent fan site, not affiliated with FIFA or the game's developers. Bracket slots, venues and dates are based on the official tournament structure.
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