How the 48-Team Format Works: Tiebreakers, Third-Place Rankings, and Knockout Path

Group stage basics

Each of the 12 groups plays a round-robin: 6 matches per group, 72 total. Three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a defeat. The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams across all groups advance to the Round of 32.

Tiebreakers within a group

If two or more teams are level on points after three matches, FIFA applies in order:

1. Goal difference in all group matches
2. Goals scored in all group matches
3. Head-to-head points between tied teams
4. Head-to-head goal difference between tied teams
5. Head-to-head goals scored between tied teams
6. Fair play points (yellow/red card record, with red card = −3, yellow = −1)
7. Drawing of lots by FIFA

Third-place tiebreakers

All 12 third-placed teams are ranked across groups using the same criteria:

1. Points
2. Goal difference (all group matches)
3. Goals scored
4. Fair play points
5. Drawing of lots

The top eight advance. The four eliminated third-placed teams are typically those with the fewest points and worst goal difference.

Knockout bracket

The 32-team knockout consists of:

• Round of 32 (June 30 – July 3): 16 matches
• Round of 16 (July 4–7): 8 matches
• Quarter-Finals (July 9–11): 4 matches
• Semi-Finals (July 14–15): 2 matches
• Third-Place Play-off (July 18): 1 match
• Final (July 19): MetLife Stadium

Bracket pairings are predetermined: Group A winner plays Group B runner-up in the Round of 32, etc. This creates two distinct halves of the bracket.

What if a match is drawn in the knockout?

Knockout matches that finish level after 90 minutes go to 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves). If still tied, a penalty shoot-out decides the winner. There are no replays or away goals.

Substitutions and squad rules

• 26-player squads (same as 2022)
• 5 substitutions per match, plus an additional sixth if the match goes to extra time
• Concussion substitutes allowed in addition to the 5
• Three substitution windows during regulation, plus half-time

VAR and goal-line technology

Both are used at every match. Semi-automated offside technology (introduced in 2022) provides faster offside decisions. Goal-line technology determines whether the ball has crossed the line.

Disciplinary rules

• A yellow card in any group match expires after the quarter-finals
• Two yellow cards in two different matches triggers a one-match suspension
• A direct red card triggers a one-match suspension; FIFA's disciplinary committee may extend

For the latest live scores and bracket updates, visit matches or the standings page.