World Cup 2026: Countries That Have Already Qualified

FIFA has confirmed the 16 teams that will compete in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with matches scheduled from December 3 to December 6, 2022, across Qatar. The stage features powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, and France, as well as historic first-time qualifiers such as Morocco. Matches will be played in Lusail Stadium, Al-Janoub Stadium, and other venues, with local times ranging from 15:00 to 21:00 (UTC+3) and corresponding UTC times provided for global viewers.

Confirmed Teams for the Round of 16

The 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage include the top two finishers from each of the eight groups in the group phase. According to FIFA’s official tournament breakdown, the participants are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. Notably, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals in 2022, while Japan and Croatia advanced as group winners.

The list includes defending champions France, who topped Group D, and Argentina, who secured first place in Group C. Brazil, led by Neymar and Vinicius Jr., finished as group winners in Group G, while Germany, despite a 4-2 loss to Spain in their final group match, advanced as runners-up in Group E. Morocco’s historic run as Group F winners marked their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal appearance.

Schedule and Match Details

The Round of 16 matches will be played over four days, with the first match on December 3 and the final Round of 16 game on December 6. Each match will be broadcast in local time and UTC, with venues in Doha and nearby cities. The schedule is as follows:

• December 3: Argentina vs. Australia (15:00 local, 12:00 UTC) – Lusail Stadium
• December 3: France vs. Poland (18:00 local, 15:00 UTC) – Al-Janoub Stadium
• December 4: England vs. Senegal (15:00 local, 12:00 UTC) – Khalifa International Stadium
• December 4: Japan vs. Croatia (18:00 local, 15:00 UTC) – Al-Bayt Stadium
• December 5: Brazil vs. South Korea (15:00 local, 12:00 UTC) – Lusail Stadium
• December 5: Portugal vs. Switzerland (18:00 local, 15:00 UTC) – Al-Janoub Stadium
• December 6: Spain vs. Germany (15:00 local, 12:00 UTC) – Khalifa International Stadium
• December 6: Morocco vs. Portugal (18:00 local, 15:00 UTC) – Al-Bayt Stadium

Matches will be officiated by referees from across the globe, with the FIFA Referees Committee confirming the appointments. The draw for the Round of 16 was conducted on November 30, 2022, ensuring teams from different groups face each other without repetition.

Key Players and Tactical Considerations

The Round of 16 will feature some of the world’s most celebrated players, including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Neymar, and France’s Kylian Mbappé. Messi, who scored 7 goals in the group stage, will look to lead Argentina past Australia, a team that stunned the world by eliminating France