<P> The knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was the second and final stage of the competition , following the group stage . It began on 30 June with the round of 16 and ended on 15 July with the final match , held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow . The top two teams from each group ( 16 in total ) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single - elimination style tournament . A third place play - off was also played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals . </P>
<P> The knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was the second and final stage of the competition , following the group stage . It began on 30 June with the round of 16 and ended on 15 July with the final match , held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow . The top two teams from each group ( 16 in total ) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single - elimination style tournament . A third place play - off was also played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals . </P>
who plays who in the knockout stage of world cup
who plays who in the knockout stage of world cup
The top two teams from each group ( 16 in total ) advanced to the knockout stage
The top two teams from each group ( 16 in total ) advanced to the knockout stage