2022 Qatar World Cup - Who could face who after the group stages?
The 2022 World Cup will see 48 games played in its group stage, with six matches being played in the eight groups.
There are outright favourites for their groups like Brazil and Argentina, but a number of major last 16 ties will be contested due to the large amount of high quality teams.
Here are the potential match-ups we could see in the first knockout round.
2022 World Cup potential last 16 matches
Netherlands vs England
Neither England or the Netherlands have particularly strong records at the World Cup with just one win and four finals between them.
Should the Dutch stumble in Group A alongside Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal, they may face England in the last 16. The Three Lions are favourites ahead of the United Staes, Iran and Wales to win Group B.
Argentina vs France
Argentina and France are the two strong favourites for their group. However, if one of them slips up, it could set up a replay of the last 16 clash between the pair at the 2018 World Cup.
That game was an all-time classic, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice in an eventual 4-3 victory for Les Bleus.
Belgium vs Spain
Belgium and Spain rarely square off in international football, with the last game between the two coming in 2016.
That was an international friendly in which David Silva scored twice, extending La Roja's winning streak against the Belgian to five straight games. The last time Belgium actually beat Spain was at the 1986 World Cup, eventually triumphing on penalties.
Germany vs Croatia
Croatia aren't to be dismissed this winter. Luka Modric drove the Balkan nation to the final in Russia four years and is still at his exquisite best for club and country.
They are, however, on a collision course for a tough last 16 clash due to the quality in Group E. Germany could be their first opponents in the knockout stage and the two teams haven't face each other since the 2008 Euros, when Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic netted in a 2-1 win in the group stage.
Brazil vs Portugal
Brazil are among the outright favourites to win the tournament in Qatar. With Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon awaiting them in Group G, they are easy favourites to take first place.
That could set them up for a showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo's ageing Portugal side, who could struggle against the likes of Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
