2026 FIFA World Cup: Knockout Phase Begins
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its business end, with the remaining teams in the tournament knowing their path to the final. The 48 teams that participated in the group stage were reduced to 32 teams after the completion of the first-of-its-kind 12-group stage. This stage saw 12 first-place teams, 12 second-place teams, and the eight best third-place teams qualify for the knockout phase.
Source: sportshub.cbsistatic.com
The knockout phase is a do-or-die single-elimination format, where the teams will compete in a series of matches to determine the champion. The teams will be eliminated if they lose a match, and the last team standing will be crowned the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The field has an interesting set of matchups, with the United States men’s national team set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1. The winner of this match will progress to face the victor of the Belgium vs. Senegal match in the round of 16. Another highly anticipated matchup is the rematch of the 2016 Euro final between Croatia and Portugal, featuring stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
Other notable matches include Erling Haaland’s Norway, who won 2-1 against Ivory Coast, and Kylian Mbappe’s France, who made history with a 3-0 win against Sweden. Canada have also made history by defeating South Africa, handing them their first knockout stage win in the country’s history.
Round of 32 Results and Round of 16 Matchups
As of Monday, June 30, 7 p.m. ET, the teams in bold have been confirmed. The round of 32 has already seen some exciting matches, with the United States men’s national team taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winner of this match will progress to face the victor of the Belgium vs. Senegal match in the round of 16.
The round of 16 matchups are as follows:
- United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (winner progresses to face Belgium/Senegal)
- Croatia vs. Portugal (rematch of the 2016 Euro final)
- Norway vs. Winner of Ivory Coast vs. Winner of Group A/B/C/D
- France vs. Winner of Sweden vs. Winner of Group E/F/G/H
- Canada vs. Winner of South Africa vs. Winner of Group I/J/K/L
The teams will compete in a series of matches to determine the champion, with the last team standing being crowned the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Path to the Final
The path to the final is as follows:
- Round of 32: The teams will compete in a series of matches to determine the winner of each group.
- Round of 16: The winners of the round of 32 will compete against each other to determine the winner of each matchup.
- Quarterfinals: The winners of the round of 16 will compete against each other to determine the winner of each matchup.
- Semifinals: The winners of the quarterfinals will compete against each other to determine the winner of each matchup.
- Final: The winners of the semifinals will compete against each other to determine the champion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
