Format & Rules

How the first 48-team World Cup works.

1. 1
   Group Stage

   12 groups × 4 teams · 72 matches · 11–27 June
2. 2
   Round of 32

   32 nations · single elimination · 28 Jun – 3 Jul
3. 3
   Round of 16

   4–7 July
4. 4
   Quarter-Finals

   9–11 July
5. 5
   Semi-Finals

   14–15 July · Dallas · Atlanta
6. 6
   Final

   19 July · MetLife Stadium · New York / New Jersey

Frequently asked

How many teams qualify for the knockouts?

Thirty-two: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers.

How are tiebreakers decided?

Points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head, then fair play, and finally a drawing of lots.

Will extra time and penalties decide knockouts?

Yes — all knockout matches not decided in 90 minutes go to 30 minutes of extra time and then penalty kicks if still level.