The World Cup 2026 knockout stage schedule runs from June 28 to July 19, ending with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Here’s the complete, up-to-date schedule, along with confirmed results and what’s still to come.
Knockout Stage Schedule Overview
| Round | Dates | Teams | Matches |
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3 | 32 | 16 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – July 7 | 16 | 8 |
| Quarterfinals | July 9 – July 11 | 8 | 4 |
| Semifinals | July 14 – July 15 | 4 | 2 |
| Third Place Match | July 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Final | July 19 | 2 | 1 |
How Teams Qualified for the Knockout Stage
With 48 teams split into 12 groups of four, the top two finishers from each group advanced automatically, joined by the eight best third-place teams across all groups — a total of 32 teams entering the Round of 32. This is a first for the tournament, since previous editions sent only 16 teams into the opening knockout round.
Every knockout match follows a straightforward single-elimination format: 90 minutes of regulation, followed by 30 minutes of extra time if scores are level, and a penalty shootout if the tie still isn’t broken.
Round of 32 Results (June 28 – July 3)
The opening knockout round produced some big scorelines and a few dramatic penalty shootouts. Confirmed results include:
- Canada 1–0 South Africa (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
- Brazil 2–1 Japan (NRG Stadium, Houston)
- Paraguay 1–1 Germany, Paraguay won on penalties (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)
- Morocco 1–1 Netherlands, Morocco won on penalties (Estadio BBVA, Monterrey)
- Norway 2–1 Ivory Coast (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
- France 3–0 Sweden (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
- Mexico 2–0 Ecuador (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
- England 2–1 Congo DR (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- Belgium 3–2 Senegal, after extra time (Lumen Field, Seattle)
- USA 2–0 Bosnia & Herzegovina (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)
- Spain 3–0 Austria (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
- Portugal 2–1 Croatia (BMO Field, Toronto)
- Switzerland 2–0 Algeria (BC Place, Vancouver)
- Egypt 1–1 Australia, Egypt won on penalties (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
- Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde, after extra time (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
- Colombia 1–0 Ghana (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)
Round of 16 Results (July 4 – July 7)
- Morocco 3–0 Canada
- France 1–0 Paraguay
- Norway 2–1 Brazil
- England 3–2 Mexico
- Spain 1–0 Portugal
- Belgium 4–1 USA
- Argentina beat Egypt
- Switzerland beat Colombia
These results shaped the quarterfinal lineup: Morocco, France, Belgium, Spain, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.
Quarterfinal Schedule (July 9 – July 11)
The quarterfinals kicked off on Thursday, July 9, with four matches:
- Morocco vs. France — Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
- Belgium vs. Spain — SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
- Norway vs. England — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- Argentina vs. Switzerland — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
The two-pathway bracket structure was designed to keep the highest-seeded teams — including England, France, Spain, and Argentina — apart until at least the semifinals.
Semifinals — July 14 & 15
The semifinal winners will meet in the final. Confirmed venues:
- Semifinal 1: AT&T Stadium, Dallas — July 14
- Semifinal 2: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta — July 15
Third Place Match — July 18
The two losing semifinalists face off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the day before the final.
The Final — July 19
The tournament concludes at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the two semifinal winners meet for the trophy.
What to Expect as the Bracket Narrows
With each round, the number of matches drops but the stakes rise. There’s no room for a bad night once the knockout stage begins — one mistake, one missed penalty, or one moment of brilliance can end a team’s tournament or send it through to the next round.
The expanded 48-team format has already delivered several shocks, with lower-ranked sides like Cape Verde, Morocco, and Paraguay pushing past bigger names in the early knockout rounds. As the competition heads into its final week, all eyes turn to Dallas and Atlanta for the semifinals, before the tournament’s biggest stage in New Jersey on July 19.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Cup 2026 knockout stage end? The knockout stage concludes with the final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How many teams are in the Round of 32? 32 teams — the top two from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-place finishers.
What happens if a knockout match is tied? The match goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If it’s still level, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
Where are the semifinals being played? AT&T Stadium in Dallas (July 14) and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (July 15).
Where is the World Cup 2026 final? MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
