Knockout Bracket
2026 FIFA World Cup elimination rounds — follow the path from the Round of 32 through the Final.
Teams in italic are placeholder slots filled as earlier rounds complete.
Pre-tournament structure. The bracket shows all 32 knockout match slots. Teams will be determined as group stage results finalize.
Round of 32
0/8
Round of 16
0/4
Quarter-Final
0/2
Semi-Final
0/1
Semi-Final
0/1
Quarter-Final
0/2
Round of 16
0/4
Round of 32
0/8
Third Place Play-off
Third-place playoff between semifinal losers
Upper Bracket
Round of 32
8 matches · 0/8 completed · 32 teams compete; 16 advance
Round of 16
4 matches · 0/4 completed · 16 teams compete; 8 advance to quarterfinals
Quarter-Final
2 matches · 0/2 completed · 8 teams compete; 4 advance to semifinals
Semi-Final
1 match · 0/1 completed · 4 teams compete; 2 advance to the final
Lower Bracket
Round of 32
8 matches · 0/8 completed · 32 teams compete; 16 advance
Round of 16
4 matches · 0/4 completed · 16 teams compete; 8 advance to quarterfinals
Quarter-Final
2 matches · 0/2 completed · 8 teams compete; 4 advance to semifinals
Semi-Final
1 match · 0/1 completed · 4 teams compete; 2 advance to the final
Third Place Play-off
Third-place playoff between semifinal losers