World Cup Bracket Maker - Knockout Stage
Fill in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage bracket. Pre-loaded with 16 teams for the Round of 16 to Final progression. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar used the 32-team format with 8 groups of 4 advancing to a 16-team knockout. From 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico) the field expands to 48 teams.
World Cup Knockout Stage
From 32 to 1 in 4 Rounds
- -32 teams in 8 groups of 4 (group stage, 48 matches)
- -Top 2 from each group advance to the knockout stage (16 teams)
- -Round of 16 (8 matches), Quarterfinals (4), Semifinals (2)
- -Third-place playoff (1 match) and Final (1 match)
- -Knockout matches go to extra time then penalty shootout if tied
Knockout-Stage Match Count
2026 World Cup: 48-Team Format
The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament with 48 teams. The current FIFA plan is 12 groups of 4 teams (group stage), with the top 2 from each group plus the 8 best third-placed teams advancing to a 32-team knockout stage. That produces 104 total matches: 72 group-stage matches plus 32 knockout matches (Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-place playoff, Final).
The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with most matches in the USA. To build a 2026 bracket, set the tool to 32 teams and use the knockout-stage layout, or enter the 16 quarterfinalists once the Round of 32 plays out.
Tiebreak Rules in Knockout Matches
Extra Time
Two 15-minute halves of extra time if the score is level after 90 minutes. The full 30 minutes is played; no golden-goal rule.
Penalty Shootout
If still level after extra time, a penalty shootout decides the match. Best-of-5 kicks, then sudden death.
Away Goals (Abolished)
The away-goals rule no longer applies in the World Cup knockout stage. UEFA abolished away goals from the 2021-22 Champions League onwards; FIFA already did not use the rule at the World Cup.