The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is set to debut its expanded 48-team format, with the knockout phase now featuring a round of 32.
According to Al Jazeera, 28 teams have already secured their spots for the elimination rounds, which begin on Sunday, June 28.
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Under the new structure, only 32 teams advance from the group stage.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups qualify, along with the eight best third-place finishers across all groups.
Knockout Stage Schedule
The round of 32 kicks off on June 28 with South Africa facing Canada at Los Angeles Stadium.
Three matches follow on Monday, June 29: Brazil vs. Japan, Germany vs. Paraguay, and the Netherlands vs. Morocco.
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On Tuesday, June 30, the Ivory Coast plays Norway, France meets Sweden, and Mexico faces an undetermined third-place qualifier.
Wednesday, July 1, features the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with two other group-winner fixtures.
The final round of 32 matches take place on July 2 and July 3, including Spain vs. Australia and Argentina vs. Cape Verde at Miami Stadium.
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After the round of 32, the tournament proceeds through the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, culminating in the third-place playoff and the final on July 19, 2026.
