As someone who recently started following the FIFA World Cup, I found myself puzzled about the tournament's elimination format. The question 'Is the World Cup single elimination or double elimination?' came up frequently among my friends new to the sport as well. The FIFA World Cup uses a single elimination format after its group stage. Initially, 32 teams are divided into groups competing in a round-robin format. The top teams from each group then advance to the knockout stage, which is single elimination — meaning if a team loses a match during this stage, they are immediately out of the tournament. This single elimination structure adds a tremendous amount of excitement and pressure to every match since there is no second chance. Watching games become do-or-die battles truly highlights the importance of each goal and moment on the field. In contrast, a double elimination format, where teams get a second chance after losing once, is not used in FIFA World Cups but is common in some esports tournaments and other sports events. Understanding this structure helped me appreciate each match's intensity and the journey teams take to become world champions. For anyone new to soccer or curious about how the World Cup works, recognizing this format enhances your viewing experience and the thrill of the sport.