Understand how the knockout phase of the 2025 Club World Cup will work
The knockout rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup officially begin this Saturday, June 28, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as clubs prepare for decisive battles that could go the distance. Here’s how the knockout stage will function from extra time rules to card suspensions.
How the Knockout Stage Works
All knockout games including the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final follow standard elimination format rules:
Draw after 90 minutes?
- The match goes into extra time (2 halves of 15 minutes).
- There is a five-minute break between regulation time and extra time.
Still tied after extra time?
- The game proceeds to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
This format ensures that every match produces a clear winner no replays or group point considerations.
Suspension Rules: How Yellow Cards Work
Managing discipline will be key for clubs and coaches throughout the tournament. Here’s how yellow card accumulation works in the Club World Cup:
- A player or coach will be suspended for one match after receiving two yellow cards in separate matches.
- Yellow cards are reset only after the quarterfinals.
This means a player who receives a second yellow in the quarterfinal will miss the semifinal.
However, players who receive a second yellow in the semifinal will still be eligible for the final, as the reset takes effect.
Red cards, of course, lead to immediate suspension, regardless of stage.
Key Dates
- Round of 16: Begins June 28
- Quarterfinals: Early July
- Final: Set for July 13
All eyes are on the trophy but only the most prepared, composed, and consistent will lift it.
