The 2022 Qatar World Cup is all set to begin, with the hosts taking on Ecuador in the opening fixture. After the group stage is played to a conclusion, the knockout fixtures will begin with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Round of 16.
32 teams will take part in the group stage, in eight groups of four. Here are the eight groups participating in the tournament:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
The favourites to make it to the Last 16 of the World Cup
Groups F, G and H in particular are the tightest to call, with it being anybody’s guess as to who makes it from the three groups. Group D, in particular, can be named the ‘easiest’ group considering the difference in quality between Denmark and France, compared to Tunisia and Australia.
However, for the sake of prediction, here are the expected last 16 in the World Cup:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- France
- Netherlands
- England
- Portugal
- Senegal
- Croatia
- Belgium
- Uruguay
- Denmark
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Spain
- Wales
- Poland
The Round of 16 will start on December 3, and will lead to the final being played on December 18. There will also be a third placed match on December 17 between the defeated teams in the two semi-finals.
