Qualify, then knockout · Illustrative rules
Group stage + playoffs
Group standings earn playoff places; the qualified field then moves into knockout matches.
Playoff semifinals
Step 3 of 4
Group qualification now becomes knockout.
First-place finishers play the other group’s runner-up: A–C and B–D.
- SemifinalA vs CA advances
- SemifinalB vs DB advances
- FinalA vs BScheduled
What this means: C and D are eliminated by their semifinal losses; A and B advance to the final.