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2026 World Cup Bracket Revealed: All 32 Matchups Unveiled
The 2026 World Cup Knockout Stage: Everything You Need to Know!
What’s So Special This Time?
Imagine your favorite video game tournament, but bigger than ever before. That’s what’s happening with the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
For the very first time in history, the knockout stage will feature 32 teams instead of the usual 16. That means there will be 16 exciting matchups right at the start before the field narrows down to 16 teams.
Here’s the simple rule from here on out:
Win or go home. There’s no second chance. Every match is do-or-die!
The Round of 32 Bracket: Full Schedule
Below is every single match, organized by date, so you know exactly when to tune in. All games are broadcast on FOX or FS1 and are available to stream on FOX One.
Sunday, June 28
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa vs. Canada | Los Angeles Stadium | 3 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
- South Africa finished 2nd in Group A
- Canada finished 2nd in Group B
Monday, June 29
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil vs. Japan | Houston Stadium | 1 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Germany vs. Paraguay | Boston Stadium | 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Netherlands vs. Morocco | Monterrey Stadium | 9:00 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
- Brazil finished 1st in Group C | Japan finished 2nd in Group F
- Germany finished 1st in Group E | Paraguay finished 3rd in Group D
- Netherlands finished 1st in Group F | Morocco finished 2nd in Group C
Tuesday, June 30
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast vs. Norway | Dallas Stadium | 1 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| France vs. Sweden | New York New Jersey Stadium | 5 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Mexico vs. Ecuador | Mexico City Stadium | 9 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
- Ivory Coast finished 2nd in Group E | Norway finished 2nd in Group I
- France finished 1st in Group I | Sweden finished 3rd in Group F
- Mexico finished 1st in Group A | Ecuador finished 3rd in Group E
Wednesday, July 1
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| England vs. DR Congo | Atlanta Stadium | 12 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Belgium vs. Senegal | Seattle Stadium | 4 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One) |
| USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | San Francisco Bay Stadium | 8 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
- England finished 1st in Group L | DR Congo finished 3rd in Group K (they edged out Uzbekistan in the group-stage finale!)
- Belgium finished 1st in Group G | Senegal finished 3rd in Group I
- USA finished 1st in Group D | Bosnia and Herzegovina finished 3rd in Group B
Thursday, July 2
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain vs. Austria | Los Angeles Stadium | 3 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Portugal vs. Croatia | Toronto Stadium | 7 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Switzerland vs. Algeria | BC Place Vancouver | 11 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One) |
- Spain finished 1st in Group H | Austria finished 2nd in Group J
- Portugal finished 2nd in Group K (after drawing with group-winner Colombia) | Croatia finished 2nd in Group L (they boosted their standing with a win over Ghana)
- Switzerland finished 1st in Group A | Algeria finished 3rd in Group J
Friday, July 3
| Match | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia vs. Egypt | Dallas Stadium | 2 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Argentina vs. Cape Verde | Miami Stadium | 6 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
| Colombia vs. Ghana | Kansas City Stadium | 9:30 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One) |
- Egypt finished 2nd in Group G | Australia finished 2nd in Group D
- Argentina finished 1st in Group J | Cape Verde finished 2nd in Group H
- Colombia won Group K (after drawing with Portugal, who finished 2nd) | Ghana finished 3rd in Group L (they lost to Croatia but still advanced!)
Key Takeaways
- 32 teams enter the knockout stage — the most in World Cup history
- 16 matches are played in the Round of 32
- Every game is single elimination — lose once and you’re out
- Matches span from June 28 to July 3
- Games are spread across multiple cities in North America
- Some teams advanced by finishing 3rd in their group, which was possible due to the expanded format
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are there 32 teams in the knockout stage this year?
A: The 2026 World Cup is the first-ever 48-team World Cup. With more teams in the tournament overall, the knockout stage had to expand too. Instead of the usual 16 teams, 32 teams now get to compete in the win-or-go-home portion!
Q: How did teams with 3rd-place finishes make it to the knockout stage?
A: Because the tournament expanded to 48 teams, the format changed. More teams are allowed to advance from the group stage. Some teams that finished 3rd in their groups still had good enough records to move on.
Q: What happens if a knockout match ends in a tie?
A: In knockout matches, there’s no such thing as a draw. If the game is tied after regular time, teams play extra time (additional minutes of play). If it’s still tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout — a dramatic one-on-one kicking contest!
Q: Where can I watch these matches?
A: All matches are available on FOX, FS1, and for streaming on FOX One. Check the schedule above for which channel each game is on.
Q: When does the tournament end?
A: After the Round of 32, the tournament continues with the Round of 16, then Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and finally the World Cup Final. Each round cuts the number of teams in half until only one champion remains!
