Story perspectives

Knockout Stage Kicks Off June 28, France Leads Odds

6/28/2026

Summary

Knockout Stage Begins

Knockout stage starts Sunday, June 28, 2026 with 32 teams.
Round-of-32 bracket pairs group winners with third-place teams, winners with second-place teams, and second-place teams with each other, running through Friday, July 3.
Tied games receive 30 minutes time then a penalty shootout, with only the 11 players allowed to shoot and a coin toss picking first shooter.
BetMGM odds favor France and set final for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Summary

Tournament Triumphs

The tournament succeeded despite visa, ticket and hotel worries, with stadiums near capacity and nearly 70,000 fans.
The 48-team format placed nine of ten African nations in the knockout round and gave spots to seven teams.
Host-city crowds turned matches into festivals, as thousands of Dutch fans swarmed Kansas City and the Scottish Tartan Army filled Boston.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick for Argentina and the U.S. opener in Seattle generated top-tier atmospheres reinforcing positive reception.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, ended with a July 17 final at the Rose Bowl where Brazil beat Italy on penalties before over 94,000 spectators. It was FIFA’s first tournament on American soil and the first fully live broadcast by ABC, showing that large venues and a North-American fan base could sustain the sport.

1 of 3

Knockout Stage Begins

Knockout stage starts Sunday, June 28, 2026 with 32 teams.
Round-of-32 bracket pairs group winners with third-place teams, winners with second-place teams, and second-place teams with each other, running through Friday, July 3.
Tied games receive 30 minutes time then a penalty shootout, with only the 11 players allowed to shoot and a coin toss picking first shooter.
BetMGM odds favor France and set final for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

1 / 3