The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the knockout rounds, where every match now carries the weight of elimination.
After weeks of group-stage action, the tournament is entering its decisive stretch as the remaining nations battle for a place in the final.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, this year’s competition is the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 104 matches before a champion is crowned.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, July 19, when the final will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With several heavyweight nations still in contention and a handful of unexpected survivors, supporters can expect plenty more drama as the bracket unfolds.
Surprise Results Shake Up the Knockout Picture
The knockout stage has already produced one of its biggest shocks after Germany crashed out following a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.
That victory sends Paraguay into a high-profile last-16 meeting against France, while several other fixtures are still being determined as the remaining Round of 32 matches conclude.
As each round progresses, the path to the championship becomes clearer, setting up potential blockbuster encounters between some of football’s traditional powerhouses.
Remaining Round of 32 Matches
Only a handful of Round of 32 fixtures remain before the tournament moves fully into the last-16 stage.
Friday, July 3 (BST)
- Australia vs Egypt — 7:00 p.m. — Dallas Stadium, USA (BBC)
- Argentina vs Cape Verde — 11:00 p.m. — Miami Stadium, USA (ITV/STV)
Saturday, July 4 (BST)
- Colombia vs Ghana — 2:30 a.m. — Kansas City Stadium, USA (ITV/STV)
Confirmed Last-16 Fixtures
The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, July 4, with several attractive matchups already confirmed.
Saturday, July 4
- Canada vs Morocco — 6:00 p.m. — Houston Stadium, USA (ITV/STV)
- Paraguay vs France — 10:00 p.m. — Philadelphia Stadium, USA (BBC)
Sunday, July 5
- Brazil vs Norway — 9:00 p.m. — New York New Jersey Stadium, USA (ITV/STV)
Monday, July 6
- Mexico vs England — 1:00 a.m. — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico (BBC)
- Portugal vs Spain — 8:00 p.m. — Dallas Stadium, USA (BBC)
Tuesday, July 7
- USA vs Belgium — 1:00 a.m. — Seattle Stadium, USA (BBC)
- Winner of Argentina vs Cape Verde vs Winner of Australia vs Egypt — 5:00 p.m. — Atlanta Stadium, USA (ITV/STV)
- Switzerland vs Winner of Colombia vs Ghana — 9:00 p.m. — BC Place, Vancouver, Canada (ITV/STV)
Key Dates for the Remaining Tournament
Once the Round of 16 concludes, the competition quickly moves into its final stages.
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 4
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
- Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 12
- Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15
- Third-place play-off: July 18
- World Cup Final: July 19
Quarter-Finals Begin on July 9
Eight teams will remain once the Round of 16 is complete, with the quarter-finals opening in Boston on Thursday, July 9.
The opening quarter-final will feature the winner of Paraguay vs France against either Canada or Morocco.
The remaining quarter-final schedule is as follows:
- Match 97: Winner of Match 89 vs Winner of Match 90 — Thursday, July 9, 9:00 p.m. BST — Boston Stadium
- Match 98: Winner of Match 93 vs Winner of Match 94 — Friday, July 10, 8:00 p.m. BST — Los Angeles Stadium
- Match 99: Winner of Match 91 vs Winner of Match 92 — Saturday, July 11, 10:00 p.m. BST — Miami Stadium
- Match 100: Winner of Match 95 vs Winner of Match 96 — Sunday, July 12, 2:00 a.m. BST — Kansas City Stadium
Broadcast details for these matches will be announced once the fixtures are finalized.
Semi-Final Spots Await the Final Four
The winners of the quarter-finals will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled across two evenings.
- Match 101: Winner of Match 97 vs Winner of Match 98 — Tuesday, July 14, 8:00 p.m. BST — Dallas Stadium
- Match 102: Winner of Match 99 vs Winner of Match 100 — Wednesday, July 15, 8:00 p.m. BST — Atlanta Stadium
The losing semi-finalists will then meet in the third-place playoff.
Third-Place Match Offers One Final Chance for Glory
Before the championship match, the tournament’s bronze medal contest will be played on Saturday, July 18.
- Match 103: Loser of Match 101 vs Loser of Match 102 — 10:00 p.m. BST — Miami Stadium
Although the title will already be out of reach, both teams will have one final opportunity to finish their World Cup campaign with a victory.
World Cup Final Set for July 19
The 2026 FIFA World Cup champion will be crowned on Sunday, July 19.
The final will take place at New York New Jersey Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. BST, giving both finalists several days to recover from the semi-finals before football’s biggest match.
- Match 104: Winner of Match 101 vs Winner of Match 102 — Sunday, July 19, 8:00 p.m. BST
The contest will bring to a close the biggest World Cup ever staged across three host nations.
How UK Fans Can Watch the Knockout Stage
Football supporters in the United Kingdom can continue following every stage of the tournament through BBC and ITV, which are sharing live broadcast rights throughout the competition.
Coverage of the remaining knockout matches will be allocated once fixtures are finalized, with updated television listings available through FIFA’s official platforms.
Fans who prefer a shared viewing experience can also expect many pubs and sports bars across the UK to screen the matches live as the race for the World Cup trophy reaches its conclusion.
