World Cup 2026 round of 16 format and matchups revealed

FIFA has detailed the structure of the 2026 World Cup round of 16. Group winners, runners‑up and the best third‑placed teams will advance to a 32‑team knockout stage.

Matchups are drawn based on group rankings, and if a game is level after 90 minutes, two periods of extra time will be played before a penalty shoot‑out decides the winner. This format introduces a direct elimination phase for the first time in the tournament’s history.