90min

When are the 2022 World Cup round of 16 matches played?

By James Cormack

Brazil booked their spot in the round of 16 with a group game to spare
Brazil booked their spot in the round of 16 with a group game to spare / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages
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The group stages of the 2022 World Cup always seem to fly by, and it's then crunch time and the knockout rounds.

16 teams will progress from Groups A-H, with this year's tournament seeing just three places booked ahead of the final round of group matches.

Drama aplenty is ahead of us, so here's all you need to know about when the round of 16 matches are and who is in or likely to be in them.

When are the 2022 World Cup round of 16 matches?

  • 3 December 2022 - Group A winners vs Group B runners-up - 15:00
  • 3 December 2022 - Group C winners vs Group D runners-up - 19:00
  • 4 December 2022 - Group D winners vs Group C runners-up - 15:00
  • 4 December 2022 - Group B winners vs Group A runners-up - 19:00
  • 5 December 2022 - Group E winners vs Group F runners-up - 15:00
  • 5 December 2022 - Group G winners vs Group H runners-up - 19:00
  • 6 December 2022 - Group F winners vs Group E runners-up - 15:00
  • 6 December 2022 - Group H winners vs Group G runners-up - 19:00

Who has qualified for the 2022 World Cup last 16?

Before the final round of group games had gone underway, just three teams had booked their place in the 2022 World Cup round of 16: France, Brazil and Portugal.

Holders France came from behind to beat Australia 4-1 on Matchday 1 before a Kylian Mbappe brace helped them over the line against Denmark. Brazil dazzled in the second half to overcome Serbia in their tournament opener before they ground out a 1-0 win over Switzerland in Neymar's absence. Portugal, meanwhile, were given a scare against Ghana on Matchday 1 but eventually prevailed 3-2 and secured their place in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Uruguay.

Other big-name sides expected to join them are: Netherlands (Group A), England (Group B), Argentina (Group C), Denmark (Group D), Spain and Germany (Group E), and Croatia (Group F).

There could be trouble on the horizon though for Belgium and Uruguay, while either Mexico or Poland could fail to get out of Group C if Argentina buck their ideas up as expected.

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