FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-finals: start date, schedule of fixtures and predictions

The quarter-final phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is all set to kick off.

Three weeks in, the tournament has not been one for easy predictions. From Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina in their opener to 2014 champions Germany making a quick exit a second consecutive time, this edition has provided a rollercoaster of comebacks and head-spinning group climaxes.

Will upsets continue to be the norm? Here’s what to expect from the remaining fixtures as the World Cup enters its final laps:

WHEN DO THE WORLD CUP 2022 QUARTER-FINALS START?

The quarter-finals will take place on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. Two games will be played on each day.

The semi-finals will take place on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium.

The final takes place on Sunday Dec. 18 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINALS SCHEDULE OF FIXTURES

DEC. 9

1500 GMT - Croatia v Brazil - Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan

1900 GMT - Argentina v Netherlands - Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail

DEC. 10

1500 GMT - Morocco v Portugal - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

1900 GMT - England v France - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

WHAT ARE THE LATEST PREDICTIONS FOR THE WORLD CUP 2022 QUARTER-FINALS?

CROATIA V BRAZIL

How have they played so far?

Brazil arrived in Qatar as the odds-on favourite to lift the trophy. They have won three of their four games so far and are coming off a 4-1 thrashing of South Korea in the last 16. The lone loss came in their final Group G game against Cameroon in which a largely second-string side were stunned by a Vincent Aboubakar goal in stoppage time.

However, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia have not been at their convincing best. They topped Group F after managing two goalless draws before beating Japan on penalties in their