World Cup 2022: What to expect on Day 14

After two weeks of four-game days, the festive football pre-Christmas diet kicks in on Saturday with only two games to view on Day 14 of this unseasonal World Cup.

We'll be shedding teams over the next fortnight as we come to a conclusion in Qatar, while the last few days have seen 16 such squads pack their bags, exiting after the group stages.

The knock-out phase begins today and first up sees the clash between the much-fancied Netherlands, who will take on the good old US of A for a place in the quarter-finals of this year's tournament, kick-off 3pm (Irish time).

Two hours, in theory, between the games with the second match starting at 7pm, allowing time for extra-time and penalties should they be required.

And it's a battle between Argentina and Australia in the late game with the winners set to meet either Netherlands or USA in the last eight.

The USA are boosted by the news that Christian Pulisic appears to be fit for their vital last-16 encounter with the Netherlands in what is the first game of the knock-out stages.

And coach Gregg Berhalter said he will look to draw on the lessons he learnt in the Dutch league during his playing career having played with PEC Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden during an 18-year playing career.

The Americans, who have not reached the quarter-finals since 2002, will be underdogs against three-times finalists Netherlands but will fancy their chances against a Dutch team that stuttered through the group stage.

"I learnt so much in Holland," said Berhalter. "It's almost like, what concepts haven't I taken from Dutch football? It was a great experience being there.

"After every training session and every game, you have a debate with your players about it. People love to discuss