the knockout stage of the 2022 fifa world cup is the second and last stage of the tournament, which is after the group stage. it will start on 3 december with the round of 16 and will end on 18 december 2022 with the final match, in lusail iconic stadium in lusail. the top two teams from each group (sixteen in total) will advance to the knockout stage to play in a single-elimination tournament. a third place play-off will be played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.