Knockout format and schedule
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups advance, along with the eight best third-place finishers. The round of 32 is being introduced for the first time at a World Cup following the tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
After the round of 32 comes the round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and a playoff for third place. The final is set for July 19.
2026 tie-breaker rule change
FIFA is using head-to-head records instead of goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points for the first time at a World Cup.
Under FIFA's rules for the tournament, if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the group stage ends, criteria are applied in order to determine the ranking. Additional criteria apply if teams remain tied, and further measures follow if teams still cannot be separated.
The eight best teams among those ranked third will be determined through FIFA's established ranking criteria for third-place finishers.
Teams into the round of 32
Mexico, one of the cohosts were the first team to qualify for the knockouts. They took top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday, June 18, after opening their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a chaotic tournament opener.
The United States were the second team to reach the round of 32. They secured their place with a 2-0 win over Australia in Group D on Friday, June 19, following a 4-1 opening win over Paraguay to kick off their campaign.
Teams eliminated
Haiti became the first team knocked out of the World Cup after a 3-0 loss to Brazil on Friday, June 19. They had also lost 1-0 to Scotland in their first game. Haiti are playing in their first tournament since 1974 and have been eliminated because they are unable to catch the third-placed teams in their group after losing to those teams.
Turkiye soon followed, bowing out after a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Paraguay later on Friday. They also suffered a 2-0 defeat to Australia in their first group match, their first appearance at the tournament after 24 years. Turkiye have been eliminated for the same reason as Haiti: they cannot catch the third-placed teams in their group after losing to those teams.
