The knockout rounds at the World Cup in Qatar will begin this weekend. Of the 11 Black & Yellows who started the tournament, four have made it into the last 16. Some especially pleasing news: BVB keeper Gregor Kobel made his World Cup debut on Friday evening and helped the Swiss national team to qualify for the next round as group runners-up.

Kobel started between the sticks in place of the ill Yann Sommer in Switzerland's thrilling 3-2 win over Serbia. The Dortmund goalie was powerless to prevent the two goals he conceded in the first half. It is unclear whether Kobel will continue in goal for the Swiss in the Round of 16 against Portugal on Tuesday (20:00 CET), which falls on his 25th birthday.

But what is certain is that Gregor Kobel will be going up against his BVB team-mate Raphael Guerreiro, who was an unused substitute in Portugal's final group game against South Korea on Friday, which ended in a 2-1 defeat. Gio Reyna (USA) and Jude Bellingham (England) already secured their participation in the knockout stages on Tuesday and will play their last 16 ties on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

For five Germany internationals plying their trade in Dortmund (Süle, Schlotterbeck, Brandt, Adeyemi and Moukoko), plus their two Belgian team-mates Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard, the tournament has ended at the group stage. Ghana's national team coach Otto Addo narrowly missed out on reaching the Round of 16 on Friday and will switch his full focus back to his job as a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund as planned now the World Cup is over.

Last 16 ties involving BVB players

Saturday 3/12, 16:00 CET: Netherlands vs. USA with Gio Reyna

Sunday 4/12, 20:00 CET: England vs. Senegal with Jude Bellingham

Tuesday 6/12, 20:00 CET: Portugal vs. Switzerland with Raphael Guerreiro and Gregor Kobel