FIFA U20 World Cup bracket 2023: Knockout round matchups, schedule, and path to final for every team

Simon Borg

FIFA U20 World Cup bracket 2023: Knockout round matchups, schedule, and path to final for every team image

The 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup is into the knockout stages with 6 of the 24 nations still alive in the quest to raise the trophy on Sunday, June 11 in La Plata, Argentina. 

The tournament bracket is set the rest of the way with all the potential matchups known for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

Of the remaining teams, Italy are the biggest favourites to win it all, with the Italians getting past England and Colombia to reach the semifinals. A Brazil vs. Argentina final is no longer a possibility after both nations were knocked out.

Among the potential surprise teams that could make a run to the final are the USA or Uruguay. On the other side, African power Nigeria, have the ability to keep springing upsets after ousting hosts Argentina.

Here's the full bracket below, followed by the latest results and complete schedule.

MORE: U20 World Cup final group table, standings, highlights, and results

FIFA U20 World Cup bracket 2023

The two winningest nations in this competition — Argentina (6) and Brazil (5) — are out of the tournament and the title is anyone's to win with Italy the only traditional power left standing. 

U20 World Cup Round of 16

Beginning with the Round of 16, there must be a winner on the day and any matches that are tied after 90 minutes will head into extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Date Match  
Tue, May 30 RD16 #1: USA 4-0 New Zealand Highlights
Tue, May 30 RD16 #2: Uzbekistan 0-1 Israel Highlights
Wed, May 31 RD16 #3: Brazil 4-1 Tunisia Highlights
Wed, May 31 RD16 #4: Colombia 5-1 Slovakia Highlights
Wed, May 31 RD16 #5: England 1-2 Italy Highlights
Wed, May 31 RD16 #6: Argentina 0-2 Nigeria Highlights
Thu, June 1 RD16 #7: Gambia 0-1 Uruguay Highlights
Thu, June 1 RD16 #8: Ecuador 2-3 S. Korea Highlights

U20 World Cup Quarterfinals

Israel, in their first men's Under-20 World Cup, produced the upset of the tournament so far, defeating favourites Brazil in the quarterfinals after extra-time.

Israel will next face the winner of the USA vs. Uruguay match in Thursday's semifinal.

Date Match Time (ET / GMT)
Sat, June 3 QF1: Israel 3-2 Brazil (a.e.t.) Highlights
Sat, June 3 QF2: Colombia 1-3 Italy Highlights
Sun, June 4 QF3: S. Korea vs. Nigeria 1:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Sun, June 4 QF4: USA vs. Uruguay 5 p.m. / 10 p.m.

U20 World Cup Semifinals

One of South Korea or Nigeria will be in the semifinals, and Nigeria have shown they might have what it takes to reach the final for the first time since 2005. South Korea made it to the final in the last edition (2019).

Date Match Time (ET / GMT)
Thu, June 8 USA / Uruguay vs.
Israel
1:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Thu, June 8 Italy vs.
S. Korea / Nigeria
5 p.m. / 10 p.m.

U20 World Cup 3rd Place

According to the tournament rules, since the third-place match falls on the same day and in the same stadium as the final, the teams will go straight to penalty kicks in case of a draw after 90 minutes.

Date Match Time (ET / GMT)
Sun, June 11 Semifinal losers 1:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.

U20 World Cup Final

The final will crown the 23rd champion in men's Under-20 tournament history. Ukraine won the last edition held in 2019, but they did not qualify from the European region.

Date Match Time (ET / GMT)
Sun, June 11 Semifinal winners 5 p.m. / 10 p.m.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.