CupIndex
Guide

How to Read the Knockout Bracket

Guide to understanding the World Cup knockout stage bracket and tournament tree.

Quick Answer

The knockout bracket is a tournament tree showing the path from Round of 16 to the Final. Winners advance toward the center, with lines connecting matches. Scores marked with (a.e.t.) indicate extra time was played, while (p) indicates a penalty shootout decided the winner.

16
Round of 16
8
Quarter-finals
4
Semi-finals
2
Final
1
Champion
World Cup knockout stage: 16 teams compete in single-elimination rounds to the final
The knockout bracket shows the path from Round of 16 to the Final.

Bracket Structure

The bracket is organized as a tournament tree:
• Round of 16: 16 teams, 8 matches
• Quarter-finals: 8 teams, 4 matches
• Semi-finals: 4 teams, 2 matches
• Final: 2 teams, 1 match
• Third-place playoff: Semi-final losers

Reading the Bracket


• Left side: Winners advance toward the center
• Right side: Winners advance toward the center
• Lines: Connect matches showing who plays whom next
• Scores: Displayed between team names

Match Designations

Matches are often labeled:
• R16-1, R16-2, etc. for Round of 16
• QF-1, QF-2, etc. for Quarter-finals
• SF-1, SF-2 for Semi-finals
• Final and 3rd Place

Bracket Rules


• Group A winner plays Group B runner-up
• Group C winner plays Group D runner-up
• And so on...
• The bracket ensures teams from the same group can't meet until the final

Extra Time and Penalties

Indicated on the bracket:
• (a.e.t.) = After Extra Time
• (p) = Penalties (e.g., 3-3 (4-2p))

Frequently Asked Questions