World Cup teams to qualify for Round of 16: Updated 2026 knockout bracket, schedule and fixtures

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is introducing a new format where the Round of 16 is no longer the first knockout round, marking a historic structural change to the tournament. Teams that qualify from the group stage will advance through an updated bracket before reaching the Round of 16. The Sporting News is tracking the updated knockout bracket, schedule, and fixtures as qualification progresses.