The group stages in Qatar have concluded, with some of the pre-tournament favorites already eliminated, but how do the remaining 16 teams compare?
Given its timing and location, the 2022 World Cup promised to be unlike any other, and the group stages delivered plenty of drama and surprises.
Germany and Belgium have already returned home, while the teams in the knockout stages have a truly global feel after record-breaking campaigns for African and Asian countries.
But, as we enter the last 16, who are the favorites to win the trophy? Having ranked all of the competitors in the run-up to the tournament
16Australia Last time: 24th
We had Australia ranked 31st out of 32 teams at the start of the tournament, so it's safe to say the Socceroos have proven us (and many others) wrong!
Back-to-back After losing to France in the first round, they recovered with 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark to qualify for the last 16 for the first time since 2006.
They will, however, need to step up their game if they are to defeat a resurgent Argentina and secure their best-ever World Cup finish.
15
South Korea
Few predicted South Korea would qualify ahead of their match against Portugal, but Son Heung-min lived up to his billing as his country's talisman, leading them into the knockout stages for the third time.
Their reward? A meeting with tournament favorites Brazil, where a win would be even more surprising than when they went on their giant-killing run on their way to the semi-finals in 2002.
14Poland Last time: 9th Given their performance in the third round of group games, Poland squeaked through by the skin of their teeth despite losing to Argentina.
Robert Lewandowski was horribly isolated in that game, and if the same thing happens against France in the last 16, defeat to the defending champions appears inevitable.
Senegal 13th
Senegal deserves praise for overcoming the loss of their talisman Sadio Mane on the eve of the tournament, as well as a late defeat in their opening game against the Netherlands, to reach the last 16.With victories over Qatar and, most importantly, Ecuador, they qualified for the knockout rounds for the first time since their tournament debut in 2002, putting the African champions in a match against England.
They will start as underdogs, but they have gained some momentum and will be optimistic about their chances of pulling off an upset.
12United States
In true Captain America fashion, Christian Pulisic put it all on the line for the United States in their must-win match against Iran, and the Chelsea star was rewarded by netting the winner in dramatic circumstances.Gregg Berhalter appears optimistic that his star attacker will be fit to face the Netherlands in the last 16, and the 2026 co-hosts will need Pulisic to be at his best if they are to advance further in the competition.
11Switzerland
Last time: 11th
Switzerland advanced to the knockout stages of their fifth consecutive international tournament by defeating Serbia in a tense final Group G match.
They will now face Portugal in the last 16, and having beaten Fernando Santos' side the last time they met in June, they will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals as well.
10Japan Last time: 20th
Japan was passed to death by a giant of world football for the second time in the tournament, only to come from behind to win 2-1, with their victory over Spain not only earning them a place in the last 16, but also as Group E winners.
That has secured them a winnable match against Croatia, and while the prize for the victor is likely to be a quarter-final meeting with Brazil, Japan can celebrate a historic World Cup performance for the time being.
9Morocco
Last time: 10th
Morocco were deserving Group F winners, setting up a thrilling last-16 meeting with Spain.
They may consider themselves unlucky to have drawn such a global footballing superpower, but Walid Regragui's team will play with no fear and have the players to cause another upset.
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