In Qatar, 10 teams have thus far advanced to the knockout stages, including France, Brazil, Portugal, and Argentina. Learn which groups of 16 teams have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup 2022 is nearing its Round of 16 stages as the group stages in Qatar come to an end. For the first phase, the 32 teams playing at the Qatar 2022 World Cup were split into eight groups, ranging from Group A to H.
The top two teams from each group advance to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16, the start of the knockout rounds, when each team plays the other once in a single-headed round-robin style. France, the defending champions from Group D, was the first side to advance to the Round of 16 following resounding victories in both of their group games.
After defeating Australia 4-1, Les Bleus defeated Denmark 2-1. With it, France avoided being eliminated from the FIFA World Cup in the group stage for the first time since Brazil in 2006. In the group stage, Germany in 2018, Spain in 2014, and Italy in 2010 all lost. Despite losing to Tunisia in their final group match, France still advanced as the group’s top seed ahead of Australia.
The star performer for France thus far has been Kylian Mbappe, who is also one of the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 best scorer title. Cody Gakpo has led the Netherlands’ campaign in the same manner, helping them advance as the top-seeded team from Group A and into the Round of 16.
Senegal eliminated Ecuador in their final group game, a game that was essentially a playoff, thanks to a late goal from captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who also helped Senegal advance as the second-place team from the group.
The winner of Group B also known as England won the group with two victories and a tie. While everything was going on, the USA men’s football team advanced as the second-place team from Group B thanks to a goal from Christian Pulisic in the crucial championship game against Iran.
Brazil won their first two games to advance early from Group G despite being without star player Neymar due to injury (2-0 vs Serbia and 1-0 vs Switzerland). Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, also advanced without incident from Group G after defeating Ghana 3-2 and Uruguay 3-2. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, recovered from an unexpected setback to Saudi Arabia to win Group C and go to the Round of 16.
Poland, who finished second, held off a strong push from Mexico thanks to a better goal differential. The Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will include 10 teams: the Netherlands, Senegal, England, USA, France, Australia, Argentina, Poland, Brazil, and Portugal.
Qatar was the first team to exit the competition for a spot in the Round of 16 after losing their first two games. The hosts ultimately dropped all three of their group games, putting a disappointing end to their season.