The new 2026 Round of 32 — how the expanded knockout stage actually works

The 2026 World Cup's expanded format introduced a brand-new knockout round that didn't exist before: the Round of 32. With 48 teams in the tournament, the path from group stage to champion now includes an extra elimination game.

Here's how it works: 12 groups of 4 teams play the group stage. The top 2 from each group (24 teams) qualify automatically. Then, the 8 best third-placed teams also advance, giving 32 teams total in the knockout phase. From there, it follows the familiar single-elimination format: Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final.

The third-place lifeline is determined by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. This creates fascinating final-matchday scenarios where teams in third place are tracking results across multiple groups. The Round of 32 matchups have already produced drama — with host nations Canada facing Morocco, Mexico taking on England, and USA drawn against Belgium in blockbuster ties.