The group stage matches of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar will come to an end on Friday night (December 2) after the conclusion of the final group matches in Group G and H. Out of the 32 teams, 16 will advance to the Round of 16, whereas the other 16 will pack their bags and return home. At the end of 44 matches, a total of 14 teams have secured a place in the knockout rounds, whereas six teams—Switzerland, Cameroon, and Serbia in Group G, and Ghana, South Korea, and Uruguay in Group H—are still in the race to stamp their authority in the remaining two spots.
On the one hand, pre-tournament favourites like France, Brazil, Argentina, England, Portugal, and Spain have confirmed their place in the Round of 16, while four-time World Cup winners Germany and world No. 2 Belgium crashed out from the group stage only.
Like the group stage matches, the Round of 16 fixtures also look promising to deliver some nail-biting stuff for the fans. With the likes of Japan and Morocco topping their respective groups and Australia leapfrogging the world’s No. 10 Denmark to secure a R16 berth from Group D, it will be foolish to count anyone of them as a weak opponent.
Here’s all you need to know about the Round of 16 matches in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, which will start on Saturday (December 3).
Teams Qualified
As group winners: Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Japan, Morocco.
- As runners up: Senegal, USA, Poland, Australia, Spain, Croatia.
- Position to be confirmed: Brazil, Portugal.
Round of 16 matches schedule
| DATE | DAY | TEAM 1 | TEAM 2 | VENUE | TIME (IST) |
| December 3 | Saturday | Netherlands | US | Khalifa International Stadium | 8:30 PM |
| December 4 | Sunday | Argentina | Australia | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium | 12:30 AM |
| December 4 | Sunday | France | Poland | Al Thumama Stadium | 8:30 PM |
| December 5 | Monday | England | Senegal | Al Bayt Stadium | 12:30 AM |
| December 5 | Monday | Japan | Croatia | Al Janoub Stadium | 8:30 PM |
| December 6 | Tuesday | Group G 1st | Group H 2nd | Stadium 974 | 12:30 AM |
| December 6 | Tuesday | Morocco | Spain | Education City Stadium | 8:30 PM |
| December 7 | Wednesday | Group H 1st | Group G 2nd | Lusail Iconic Stadium | 12:30 AM |
Sports 18 will broadcast all eight Round of 16 matches of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Fans can also live stream the matches on the Jio Cinema app and website.
