The pre-quarters are over. Of the teams that made it to the last sixteen after overcoming the group stage hurdles, 8 teams have qualified for the quarter-finals. Strong teams like Germany and Poland have already been eliminated from the group stage. Star-studded countries like Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Colombia have been eliminated in the pre-quarters.
Past world champions France, Uruguay and England are in the last eight along with favourites Brazil. They are joined by Belgium, Sweden, Croatia and hosts Russia, all battling it out to win their first title.
Either team, two-time champions Uruguay (1930 and 1950) or one-time winners France (1998), will secure a ticket to the semi-finals.
However, football experts are putting France, Brazil, England and Croatia ahead in the race for the semi-finals. However, the rest are not far behind. Many are putting the betting horse Belgium ahead.
Because the World Cup in Russia is full of surprises, and it wouldn't be surprising if something unusual happens in the semi-finals.
The two teams will face each other in the first quarter-final on July 6 at 7:30 PM Indian time in Nizhny Novgorod.
Five-time world champions Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) will face Belgium, who are seeking their first title, in the second quarter-final at the Kazan Arena at 11:30 PM.
Sweden will face 1966 champions England in the third quarter-final at the Samara Arena on July 7 at 7:30 pm. The final quarter-final will be played between Croatia and hosts Russia in Sochi at 11:30 pm on the same day.
Quarterfinal schedule:
Friday, July 6
Uruguay vs. France (Nizhny Novgorod, 7:30 p.m.)
Brazil vs. Belgium (Kazan, 11:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 7
Sweden vs England (Samara, 7.30pm)
Russia vs. Croatia (Sochi, 11.30pm)
