World Cup 2026: England to face Scotland? World Cup knockout schedule

Sixteen of the record 48 teams involved in the World Cup will be eliminated at the end of the group stage, leaving 32 nations in the mix for the trophy.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance to the last 32.

The remaining spots in the knockout stages are taken by the eight third-placed teams with the best records.

If two or more countries are level on points, head-to-head results are used as a tie-breaker to determine positions.

If the teams remain tied, they are ranked on goal difference, goals scored, Fifa's Team Conduct Score - a disciplinary metric for red and yellow cards, and finally whoever had the higher Fifa ranking in June's published update.

These criteria are applied in the 12 groups of four and to determine the rankings of the 12 third-placed sides.