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John Jones

World Cup last-16 line-up in full: Who has qualified plus kick-off times and knockout fixtures

The group stage has been and gone and now it's on to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

There have been some shock results already in this year's tournament, with Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia, Japan's win over Germany and Morocco's decisive victory against Belgium among the most surprising in the competition's history.

We've lost some big names too, with previous winners Germany and Uruguay both crashing out in the group stage, along with the world's second highest ranked side Belgium and Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark.

But who is still in the competition and who is playing who in the next round? Here's everything you need to know.

Who has qualified for World Cup round of 16 and when are the games?

Saturday, December 3

Netherlands v USA

These two sides will kick off the round of 16, with kick-off at 3pm (UK time) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.

The Netherlands reached the knockout rounds for the 11th time in their history with wins over Senegal and hosts Qatar, while they also drew with Ecuador on their way to topping Group A. They reached the final in 2010 only to lose out to Spain, and finished third in Brazil four years later, but failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Louis van Gaal's side face the United States, who finished second in Group B behind England after drawing 1-1 with Wales and beating Iran in their final group game. They also failed to qualify for the 2018 finals, having appeared at every World Cup between 1990 and 2014, reaching the quarter-finals in 2002.

Argentina v Australia

Argentina face the Socceroos in the second of Saturday's fixtures, which kicks off at 7pm at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

The South American side were on the wrong side of one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history when they lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening game in Qatar. However, Lionel Messi helped get his side back to winning ways against Mexico, with a 2-0 win over Poland sending them to the top of Group C.

Meanwhile, Australia got off to a dream start when they opened the scoring after less than 10 minutes against reigning champions France in their Group D opener, but ended up losing that game 4-1. Narrow victories over Tunisia and Denmark were enough to see them qualify for the knockout rounds for only the second time in their history, having faced eventual champions Italy in the round of 16 in 2006.

Sunday, December 4

France v Poland

Reigning World Cup winners France ramp up their title defence as they take on Poland at 3pm on Sunday at Al-Thumama Stadium.

Les Bleus topped Group D with wins over Australia and Denmark, but suffered a shock defeat to Tunisia in their final group game after Antoine Greizmann's late goal was ruled out. Didier Deschamps' side are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar later this month but have been struck with injuries to key players including Lucas Hernandez, N'Golo Kante and Ballon D'or winner Karim Benzema.

Meanwhile, Poland followed up their goalless draw against Mexico with a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia. A defeat by the same scoreline to Argentina threatened to knock them out of the tournament, but they squeezed through to the knockout stages on goal difference.

England v Senegal

Gareth Southgate's England take on Senegal in the first ever meeting between the two sides at the Al-Bayt Stadium at 7pm.

The Three Lions topped Group B with victories over Wales and Iran and a draw against the USA, and now have their eyes on bettering their performance in Russia four years ago, when they reached the semi-finals.

Senegal, meanwhile, finished as runners-up in their group after beating Ecuador and hosts Qatar. They reached the quarter-finals in their World Cup debut 20 years ago but this year's tournament is only their third appearance at a finals, having been knocked out in the group stage in 2018.

Monday, December 5

Japan v Croatia

Japan and Croatia kick off Monday's fixtures, with the game starting at 3pm at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah.

Nobody could have predicted the Japanese winning their group ahead of Spain and Germany, but famous wins against both sent them to the top of Group E, with a matter of millimetres sealing their win over the Spaniards after the ball seemed to have initially gone out of play in the build up to Ao Tanaka's winner on Thursday night ( here's what FIFA have officially said about the video evidence ).

Similarly, 2018 finalists Croatia were expected to top their group, but finished as runners-up behind Morocco after being held to goalless draws against the north African side and Belgium. A single win over Canada meant they were only good enough for second place, but this also means they have avoided playing Spain in the round of 16.

Brazil v South Korea

Brazil will face South Korea in the day's second game, which kicks off at 7pm at Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud.

The South Koreans got off to a slow start in the group stages, holding Uruguay to a goalless draw before losing to Ghana in dramatic circumstances in their second game. They ended with a bang, however, beating Euro 2016 champions Portugal 2-1 to send them through to the knockout stages for the first time since 2010 and dump the Uruguayans out of the tournament.

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil are strong favourites to win this year's competition and beat Serbia and Switzerland before a shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon in their final group game.

Tuesday, December 6

Morocco v Spain

The 2010 champions take on Morocco in the penultimate round of 16 game, kicking off at 3pm at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

In one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, Morocco topped Group F, which contained the last World Cup's runners-up Croatia and third-placed team Belgium, by beating Canada and the Belgians while also playing out a goalless draw against Luka Modric's Croatia.

Meanwhile, the Spaniards were on course to finish top of Group E, but their 2-1 loss to Japan in the final group game meant they finished second, having drawn with Germany and thrashed Costa Rica 7-0.

Portugal v Switzerland

In the final game of the round of 16, Portugal will face Switzerland at the Lusail Stadium, with the match kicking off at 7pm.

Cristiano Ronaldo's side battled through the group stage, edging out a spirited Ghana side in a 3-2 win in their opening game before beating Uruguay 2-0. Their subsequent 2-1 loss to South Korea on Friday was not enough to knock them off top spot.

The Swiss beat Cameroon and Serbia either side of a 1-0 loss to Brazil to make it through to the knockout stages for a third consecutive tournament.

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