The 2026 World Cup is heading into the knockout stage, with the official Round of 16 kicking off on July 4. Every match from here can end a team's dream—or create a moment fans will be talking about for years. If the football gets more intense, the group chats somehow get even louder.
World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
Here is the full 2026 World Cup knockout stage schedule so you can map out the games and plan your virtual watch parties for the football discussion:
- Round of 16 (July 4–7): Sixteen teams battle to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
- Quarter-finals (July 9–11): Only eight teams remain, with every match becoming even more intense.
- Semi-finals (July 14–15): Just two wins away from lifting the trophy.
- Third-place Play-off (July 18): One last chance to finish the tournament on a high.
- World Cup Final (July 19): The trophy, the title, and football history are all on the line.
All kick-offs listed in Eastern Time (ET)
Create Your Football Group on imo
The beauty of football lives in the conversations and shared emotions after the whistle blows. Whether you want to gather your regular football friends in a private chat or start a public group to break down tactics and lineups, having a dedicated space makes the tournament much better.
During the 90 minutes, moments of pure ecstasy or late-match tension happen in an instant. With stable text, high-quality voice, and lag-free video group features, imo lets you bring this matchday energy online seamlessly.
Whether you are looking for a reliable platform to stream-chat with friends or want to join global football communities to discuss the latest match results, imo keeps you connected.