FACTBOX-Soccer-Croatia v Belgium World Cup 2022: kickoff time, venue, stats and odds

* To reach the 2018 final, Croatia were the first team at a World Cup to come from behind in three successive knockout round matches, all of which went to extra time. Previous meetings: Croatia and Belgium have met on eight occasions since their first clash in 2000.

Croatia play Belgium at the World Cup in Al Rayyan. When: Thursday, Dec. 1, 1800 local (1500 GMT/1000 ET)

Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan Capacity: 45,032

Odds: Croatia win: 17/10

Belgium win: 8/5 Draw: 9/4

Key stats: * A draw for Croatia will be enough to see them into the last 16, while Belgium will then be relying on Canada defeating Morocco by three goals to stand a chance of a knockout place. A win for Belgium will see them finish above Croatia in Group F.

* Michy Batshuayi is the only player to score for Belgium at the 2022 World Cup so far, but Romelu Lukaku has returned to fitness and could start in his place. Midfielder Amadou Onana is suspended having picked up two yellow cards. * Croatia's 4-1 win over Canada in their previous game was the second time they have netted four goals in a World Cup fixture. They also beat Cameroon 4-0 in 2014.

* Croatia reached the semi-finals in their debut at the World Cup finals in 1998. They featured in the final at the last edition of the tournament in 2018 but fell to France 4-2. * To reach the 2018 final, Croatia were the first team at a World Cup to come from behind in three successive knockout round matches, all of which went to extra time.

Previous meetings: Croatia and Belgium have met on eight occasions since their first clash in 2000. The head-to-head record is even with three wins each and two draws. Their previous fixture was a 1-0 friendly win for Belgium in June last year. This is their first meeting at the World Cup finals.