What time do the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals start and where to watch live in UAE?

Brazil to play first quarter-final of the tournament in Qatar this weekend

Morocco's players celebrate after their 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Spain at Education City Stadium on December 6, 2022, in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Getty

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty. AFP

Morocco goalkeeper Bono saves from Sergio Busquets of Spain during the penalty shoot-out. EPA

Dejected Spain players after the match. AFP

Morocco players celebrate the win. AFP

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot-out against Spain. Getty

Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate after the team's victory. Getty

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco scores the team's fourth and winning penalty in the shoot-out against Spain. Getty

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi scores the winning penalty. Reuters

Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon watches Morocco's Achraf Hakimi's winning penalty hits the back of the net. AP

Goalkeeper Bono of Morocco saves the third penalty by Sergio Busquets of Spain. Getty

Morocco players react after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saves a penalty from Spain's Carlos Soler. PA

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech scores a penalty shoot-out. AP

Bono of Morocco makes a save against a penalty by Carlos Soler of Spain in the penalty shoot-out. Getty

Unai Simon of Spain makes a save against Walid Cheddira of Morocco. Getty

Spain's Marco Asensio hits the side netting with a shot. AP

Spain's Marco Asensio after hitting the side netting with an attempt on goal. AFP

Morocco keeper Bono punches the ball clear. Getty

Morocco goalkeeper Bono is put under pressure by Marco Asensio of Spain. Getty

Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads a good chance over the bar. AP

Morocco's Nayef Aguerd heads the ball over the bar. AFP

Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco battles for possession with Ferran Torres of Spain. Getty

Youssef En-Nesyri, Sergio Busquets and Nayef Aguerd challenge for the ball. EPA

Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui and Spain's Ferran Torres battle. AP

Spain's forward Marco Asensio fights for the ball with Morocco's Romain Ghanem Saiss. AFP

Morocco keeper Bono saves a shot by Spain's Gavi. AP

Spain manager Luis Enrique talks to Gavi. EPA

Morocco keeper Bono tips a shot from Spain's Gavi on to the bar. Getty

Spain's Gavi talks to Argentinian referee Fernando Rapallini after fouling Morocco's Sofiane Boufal. AFP

Spain's Dani Olmo grimaces in pain. AP

Spain's Aymeric Laporte challenges for the ball against Morocco's Walid Cheddira. AP

Morocco's Nayef Aguerd walks off the pitch after picking up an injury. AP

Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech talks with coach Walid Regragui. AFP

Morocco's goalkeeper Bono punches clear. AFP

Aymeric Laporte of Spain is booked. EPA

The Qatar World Cup 2022 is down to the final eight teams and it has been an exhilarating tournament so far.

Portugal and Brazil stormed into the last eight with commanding 6-1 and 4-1 victories respectively, while England and France proved too good for their respective opponents in Senegal and Australia.

There was a dream full World Cup debut for Goncalo Ramos, who smashed a hat-trick against Switzerland, with Cristiano Ronaldo relegated to the bench.

Equally amazing was Morocco becoming only the fourth African country and first Arab nation to reach the quarter-finals after defeating Spain in a penalty shootout, with Achraf Hakimi converting the decisive spot kick with a “Panenka”.

Gareth Southgate's England have impressed so far but run into the unstoppable Kylian Mbappe and his French teammates in the quarter-finals. Mbappe is the tournament's leading scorer with five goals.

Croatia too face an uphill battle in their quarter-final against Brazil after the five-time champions thrashed South Korea 4-1. The South Americans are close to fielding a full-strength team after a number of injury problems; talisman Neymar and key defender Danilo returned against South Korea after missing two games due to ankle problems.

World Cup 2022 quarter-finals date and time

Friday, December 9

Croatia v Brazil, 6pm local time (7pm UAE), Education City Stadium

Netherlands v Argentina 10 pm (11pm UAE), Lusail Stadium

Saturday, December 10

Morocco v Portugal (7pm), Al Thumama Stadium

England v France (11pm), Al Bayt Stadium

Where to watch matches in the UAE?

The World Cup 2022 is being shown live on beIN Sports. Those interested in having a bit more fun and a taste of the outdoors while watching the games have many options to select from.

In Abu Dhabi, you can catch all the live action while enjoying the sights and sounds of Emirates Palace's fan zone at Oriental Cafe. Or head out to VOX Cinemas for live screening of the games. There is a place to suit your needs all across Abu Dhabi this World Cup season.

Dubai is full of happening football spots as well. There is the excellent ambience at Expo City, JBR Football Village, City Centre Mirdif Stadium, and many more such venues.