FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage Rules

How Many Teams are in the Knockout Stage?

The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup features the top two teams from each of the eight groups in the group stage. The number of teams in each knockout stage round is as follows:

• Round of 16: 16 teams
• Quarter-Finals: 8 teams
• Semi-Finals: 4 teams
• Third Place Match: 2 teams
• Finals: 2 teams

How are Matchups Determined in the Knockout Stage?

Matchups for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage are determined by the results of each previous round. The two teams with the most points from each group in the group stage advance to the Round of 16. Each matchup in the Round of 16 is played by a winner from one group and the runner-up of another group.

The winners of Groups A, C, E, and G will play the runners-up of Groups B, D, F, and H, respectively. The runners-up of Groups A, C, E, and G will play the winners of Groups B, D, F, and H, respectively. For example, the first match will be between the winner of Group A and the runner-up of Group B. The final match will be between the winner of Group H and the runner-up of Group G.

The winner of each Group of 16 match enters the quarter-finals and follows a single-elimination format until the final. The eight winners of those sixteen teams then move forward to the quarter-finals, and the four winners from the quarter-finals move on to the semi-finals. The two teams that lose the semi-final matchups compete for third place, the winner getting third and the loser getting fourth. The last two teams remaining play in the final for the title of FIFA World Cup champion.

Tie Break Rules During the Knockout Stage

Contrary to the group stage, where matches can end in a draw, a winner must be declared in every knockout stage game. If a game is tied at the end of regulation in a knockout stage game, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. At the end of the extra time periods, the team with the most goals wins the match.

If the teams are still tied after the two periods of extra time, the game will go to a penalty shootout. In a penalty shootout, each team will elect five players to take penalty kicks. After each team has taken its five penalty kicks, the team with the most goals will be declared the winner. If the number of goals is tied, shootout rounds will continue until one team misses and the other scores. Each member of the team, including the goalkeeper, must take a penalty kick before a player takes their second.

Knockout Stage Rules Summary

• The top two teams from each of the eight groups move on to the knockout stage.
• Matchups in the knockout stage are determined by performance in the group stage.
• Group winners will play against the runners-up from another group.
• The rounds in the knockout stage are the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals.
• Knockout stage matches cannot end in a draw.
• If a knockout stage match is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played.
• If a knockout stage match is tied at the end of extra time, a penalty shootout will take place.

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