#knockout-stage

#knockout-stage

The World Cup draw on Friday will separate 48 teams (and placeholders) into 12 groups of four teams each. Each team will play three games in the group stage, one against every team in its group. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage, as in previous years. But the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams will create an additional round of knockout matches.

Before kick-off most of the colour in Lucerne, usually picture-perfect with its lakes and peaks, had been brought by Sweden's sizable support.

The Sharks have some big players in there, so it's a lot more weight, it's a lot more power driven, and it's snappy. They want to go at you right from the start.