1. Group stage :
Teams are divided into six groups of four. Each team plays three matches in the group stage.
The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the
knockout stage (16 teams).
2. Knockout Stage :
All knockout matches are played as single-elimination fixtures.
Round of 16
Group A winner vs best third-placed team (from Groups C, D or E)
Group A runner-up vs Group C runner-up
Group B winner vs best third-placed team (from Groups A, C or D)
Group B runner-up vs Group F runner-up
Group C winner vs best third-placed team (from Groups A, B or F)
Group C runner-up vs Group A runner-up
Group D winner vs best third-placed team (from Groups B, E or F)
Group D runner-up vs Group E runner-up
Quarter-finals
Winner (Group A path) vs Winner (Group C path)
Winner (Group B path) vs Winner (Group F path)
Winner (Group C path) vs Winner (Group A path)
Winner (Group D path) vs Winner (Group E path)
Semi-finals
Winners of Quarter-final 1 and 2
Winners of Quarter-final 3 and 4
Third Place Match
Losers of the semi-finals
Final
Winners of the semi-finals
Drawn matches are decided by extra time and, if necessary, penalty shoot-outs.
3. Key Dates
Group Stage: 21 – 31 December 2025
Round of 16: 3 – 6 January 2026
Quarter-finals: 9 – 10 January 2026
Semi-finals: 14 January 2026
Third Place Match: 17 January 2026
Final: 18 January 2026
