The knockout stage of the World Cup has been filled with its fair share of surprises, and the last matchday is shaping up to be exhilarating.

There is still a lot to play for most of the World Cup groups due to unexpected outcomes such as Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia, Germany's loss to Japan, Belgium's loss to Morocco, and other results. What are the requirements for each team to meet to advance to the knockout stage?

The FIFA World Cup Is Being Hosted During The Winter Months For The First Time

The beginning of 2018 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was formally celebrated on Sunday, November 20, and it will continue through Saturday, December 10.

The club soccer season will be put on hold since the games will be played during the winter months for the first time in the event's history, which will cause a scheduling conflict.

It is probably the final time we will see this structure, which includes 32 teams on the field, before it extends to 48 teams in time for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted by the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. 

The world is currently gripped with FIFA fever.
Source : co

The Canadian national team will be competing in the World Cup for the second time. However, it will be their first appearance in the competition since 1986, when it was hosted in Mexico.

They began with a brutal loss to Belgium in a group that included Morocco and Croatia, which finished as runners-up in 2018. Meanwhile, Mexico was placed in a challenging group against Poland, in which Saudi Arabia has already upset Argentina.

World Cup: Procedure for Breaking Ties in the Group Stage

FIFA comes with a set of rules that let you advance to the next stage.
Source : historyofsoccer

  • Total points
  • Goal differential
  • Tally of goals scored
  • Matchups between teams that ended in a draw in terms of points scored
  • The difference in goals scored between teams that are tied in a match.
  • Goals scored in matches involving teams who are tied for the win
  • The fair play points are awarded during the group stage.
  • One point was deducted for a yellow card.
  • Negative three points for indirect red (second yellow)
  • Red in the face: a -4 point deduction
  • You will lose five points if you get a yellow card and a direct red.
  • The use of a lotto system

Participants In The Round Of 16

Following their victory over Denmark on November 26, France became the first to get ahead to the Round of 16.

Their score was 2-1. There is still a chance that they may not come out on top of their group, but it would take a massive change in goal differential for Australia to finish ahead of Les Bleus.

The participants of FIFA 2022.
Source : gsxnews

Round Of 16 

The pairings that will take place in Round 16 have already been decided, and the bracket will be filled up when teams finish in first or second place in their respective groups.

Round Of 16 In The Bracket For The World Cup

The bracket that is located below has two different sides. And every one of them will send a player to the World Cup finals.

One-half of the bracket is comprised of the following teams, one of which will advance to the finals:

  • Group A took first place, and Group B came in second.
  • Winner of Group C and runner-up in Group D
  • Group E was victorious, and Group F came in second.
  • Group G was victorious, and Group H came in second.

FIFA Round of 16 Bracket 2022.
Source : fifaworldcupmania

The teams on the other side of the bracket will compete to see who will represent their country in the World Cup final.

  • Placed second in Group A
  • Victor of Group B
  • Group C runner-up
  • Victorious in Group D.
  • Group E finished in second place, and Group F took first.
  • Group G came in second place, and Group H took first.

What Are The Rules For Moving On To The Round Of 16 In The World Cup?

Every match from here on out is single elimination, hence the Round of 16 marks the beginning of what is often known as the knockout rounds.

There are no points that may be gained. There are no standings available. Simply said, there is a victor and a vanquished.

What Happens If Both Players In A Knockout Match Win Their Rounds?

There must be a victor on the day of play for each of the matches in the round of 16 and the subsequent matches in the knockout rounds.

A period of extra time consisting of 30 minutes is played if the score is still tied after the normal length of 90 minutes has been played.

FIFA World Cup Groups
Source : fifa

If the game is still tied after the initial 60 minutes of overtime play, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals.

The matchups for the round of 16 have already been decided before the draw for the World Cup. The group stage concludes with the champions facing off against the runners-up in their respective groups.

How Do The Teams Move On To The Next Round At The World Cup?

After prevailing in the qualifying competitions held in their respective areas, a total of 32 teams will move on to compete in the World Cup.

Grouping Procedures

When they finally make it to the World Cup, the first challenge ahead of them is the group stage. In 2022, 32 teams competed in a tournament divided into eight groups of four teams each.

The top two teams in each group proceed to the knockout round, and the winners and runners-up of each group are placed into a bracket that has already been decided and begins with the Round of 16.
Source : fifa

There will be standard round-robin group play during the group stage, where each team will face off against the other three once. During the group stage, a team receives three points for every win, one point for every draw, and no points for any losses.

The top two teams in each group proceed to the knockout round, and the winners and runners-up of each group are placed into a bracket that has already been decided and begins with the Round of 16.

The Knockout Rounds

Every match from the round of 16 on up to the championship is a single elimination tournament.

Teams compete in the Round of 16, then move on to the quarterfinals, then the semifinals, and finally, the championship game.

Teams compete in the Round of 16, then move on to the quarterfinals, then the semifinals, and finally, the championship game.
Source : sportingnews

As was just discussed, if the score is tied after the regulation duration of 90 minutes, the teams will play a further 30 minutes of overtime, and then, if required, they will compete in a penalty shootout.

Schedules And Standings For The 2022 FIFA World Cup

TIME ZONE CONVERSION:

  • 1 p.m. local: 10 a.m. GMT, 5 a.m. ET 
  • 4 p.m. local: 1 p.m. GMT, 8 a.m. ET
  • 6 p.m. local: 3 p.m. GMT, 10 a.m. ET
  • 7 p.m. local: 4 p.m. GMT, 11 a.m. ET
  • 10 p.m. local: 7 p.m. GMT, 2 p.m. ET

GROUP STAGE

Sunday, November 20th, in Group A:

  • Qatar 0 and Ecuador 2 (Al Bayt Stadium)
  • England defeated IR Iran by a score of 6-2 on Monday, November 21 in Group B. (Khalifa International Stadium)
  • Senegal was defeated by the Netherlands 1-0 in Group A. (Al Thumama Stadium)
  • The United States and Wales are tied 1-1 in Group B. (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)

Tuesday, November 22nd, in Group C:

  • Argentina wins 2-1 over Saudi Arabia (Lusail Stadium)
  • Group D results: Denmark and Tunisia tied 0-0 (Education City Stadium)
  • The score in Group C is Mexico 0-0 Poland (Stadium 974)
    France leads Australia 4-1 in Group D (Al Janoub Stadium)

Wednesday, Nov. 23

  • Group F results: Morocco and Croatia tied 0-0 (Al Bayt Stadium)
    Group E: Germany in second place, followed by Japan in third (Khalifa International Stadium)
    Group E results: Spain wins 7-0 vs Costa Rica (Al Thumama Stadium)
    Group F: Belgium 1-0 Canada (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)

Thursday, November 24

  • Cameroon won 1-0 over Switzerland in Group G play (Al Janoub Stadium)
  • Group H results: Uruguay and South Korea tied 0-0 (Education City Stadium)
  • Portugal prevails against Ghana, 3-2, in Group H (Stadium 974)
  • Brazil wins Group G, 2-0, against Serbia (Lusail Stadium)
  • Friday, November 25th, in Group B: Wales loses 0-2 to IR Iran (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)
  • Group A: Qatar 1-3 Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium)
  • Group A results: Netherlands 1–1, Ecuador 1–1. (Khalifa International Stadium)
  • England and the United States tied 0-0 in Group B. (Al Bayt Stadium)

Saturday, the 26th of November

  • Tunisia was defeated by Australia 1-0 in Group D. (Al Janoub Stadium)
  • Group C: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium)
  • Group D results: France wins, 2-1, over Denmark (Stadium 974)
  • Group C: Argentina 2-0 Mexico (Lusail Stadium)

Sunday, November 27th

  • Group E results: Japan 0 and Costa Rica 1 (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium)
  • The score in Group F was Belgium 0 and Morocco 2. (Al Thumama Stadium)
  • The score in Group F is Croatia 4-1 Canada (Khalifa International Stadium)
  • Spain and Germany tied 1-1 in Group E (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)
  • Cameroon takes against Serbia on November 28 in a matchup from Group G. (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakra; 1 p.m.)
  • Match in Group H between South Korea and Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 4 p.m.)
  • Group G: Brazil vs. Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; 7 p.m.)
  • Group H matchup between Portugal and Uruguay (Lusail Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

November 29

  • The Netherlands take on Qatar in Group A action (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 6 p.m.)
  • Group A: Ecuador vs. Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • Group B matchup: Wales against England (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10 p.m.)
  • Group B features an international matchup between Iran and the United States (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 10 p.m.)

Wednesday, Nov. 30

  • Group D: France taking on Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • Group D matches up Australia against Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakra; 6 p.m.)
  • Group C has Poland taking against Argentina (Stadium 974, Doha; 10 p.m.)
  • Group C: Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (Lusail Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

Thursday, December 1st

  • Group F: Croatia vs. Belgium (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • Group F: Canada vs. Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 6 p.m.)
  • Group E matchup: Japan against Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10 p.m.)
  • Group E: Costa Rica vs. Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)

December 2, Friday

  • Group H matchup between South Korea and Portugal (Education City Stadium; 6 p.m.)
  • Match in Group H between Ghana and Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakra; 6 p.m.)
  • Group G matchup: Cameroon against Brazil (Lusail Stadium; 10 p.m.)
  • Group G: Serbia vs. Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; 10 p.m.)

BRACKET - ROUND OF 16

December 3rd, Saturday

  • 49: Group A's Champions Face Off Against Group B's Runners-Up (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • 50: Group C's Champions Face Off Against Group D's Runners-Up (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10 p.m.)

Sunday, December 4th

  • 52: Group D's Champions Face Off Against Group C's Runners-Up (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 6 p.m.)
  • 51: Winners of Group B face off against Group A's Runners-Up (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)

Monday, December 5th

  • 53: Group E's Champions Face Off Against Group F's Runners-Up (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 6 p.m.)
  • 54: Group G's Champions Face Off Against Group H's Runners-Up (Stadium 974, Doha; 10 p.m.)

Tuesday, December 6th

  • 55: Group F's Champions Face Off Against Group E's Runners-Up (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • 56 - The champions of Group H take on the runners-up of Group G (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

BRACKET - QUARTERFINALS

Friday, December 9, 58:

  • Winners of 53 face off against Winners of 54 (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)
  • 57: Winners of 49 Compete Against Winners of 50 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

December 10, Saturday

  • 60 - Winners of 55 face off against Winners of 56 (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 6 p.m.)
  • 59: Winners of 51 face off against Winners of 52 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)

BRACKET - SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, December 13, 61:

  • Winners of 57 face off against Winners of 58 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10 p.m.)

Wednesday, December 14th, 62:

  • Winners of 59 face off against Winners of 60 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10 p.m.)

BRACKET - THIRD PLACE

Saturday, December 17, 63:

  • Losers of 61 face off against Losers of 62 (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 6 p.m.)

BRACKET - FINAL

Sunday, December 18, 64:

  • Winners of 61 face off against Winners of 62 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 6 p.m.)