Knockout round of 32 added for the first time
June 10, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
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A brand new round of 32 sits between the group stage and the traditional round of 16.
For the first time in World Cup history, the knockout stage begins with a round of 32.
Group winners receive favourable matchups against third-placed qualifiers, while runners-up face each other. Teams that win the group avoid the toughest seeded opponents until later rounds.
The new round adds eight knockout games and effectively gives the tournament a fifth knockout stage on the path to the final.