Group D, Introduction
France
The victors of the 2018 World Cup have their eyes set on retaining the trophy; however they will have to put significantly more of an effort into their play than they did at Euro 2020. An early exit in the Round of 16 against Switzerland is not a flashback they want to visit again.
Coach Didier Deschamps and his squad have a plethora of international experience. Being led by one of the world’s best, Kylian Mbappe, France is certain to be one of the clear punches on most brackets to make the World Cup Finals. Coming up victorious against Spain in the 2020/2021 UEFA Nations League Finals only shows how connected this unit is at their current state.
Current FIFA world ranking: No. 4 (October, 2022)
Regional ranking: 2nd (UEFA)
World Cup titles: 2
World Cup appearances, last appearance: 15, Russia 2018
Recent record (2-year span for all game styles):
2022: 3W-3L-2D
2021: 10W-0L-6D
Key players (club, country): Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
Australia
Australia started their quest to qualify for the World Cup by winning their first 11 games, but then started to fade as they were defeated by Saudi Arabia and Japan. Those two loses pushed them into a separate playoff qualifier that was single-elimination against Peru, after they previously beat the United Arab Emirates in another single-elevation match just days before.
Regardless of their impressive winning streak and the success they found over the hurdles in their qualifying matches, surpassing France and Denmark in the group stage will be vastly more impressive.
Current FIFA world ranking: No. 38 (October, 2022)
Regional ranking: 4th (AFC)
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances, last appearance: 5, Russia 2018
Recent record (2-year span for all game styles):
2022: 5W-2L-2D
2021: 7W-1L-2D
Key players (club, country): Mat Ryan (Copenhagen, Denmark), Aaron Mooy (Celtic, Scotland)
Denmark
One of the more emotional stories that we’ll come across at the World Cup is the return of Christian Eriksen to a major tournament after he suffered cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. As Erikson improved off the field, his team improved on the field. Reaching the Euro 2020 semifinals was a true “Cinderella Story” after all this team had gone through. Unfortunately their story ended before the last chapter as they lost to England in extra time.
Eriksen shining on the biggest stage in Qatar - for whom many would consider an “against all odds” return - could be the final chapter of Denmark’s most recent story.
Current FIFA world ranking: No. 10 (October, 2022)
Regional ranking: 8th (UEFA)
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearance, last appearance: 6, Russia 2018
Recent record (2-year span for all game styles):
2022: 5W-3L-0D
2021: 13W-4L-1D
Key players (club, country): Christian Eriksen (Manchester United, England), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta, Italy), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford, England)
Tunisia
A win in their final qualifying-round against Mali propelled Tunisia into their second consecutive World Cup appearance. The Tunisian’s look to advance past the knockout stage, they have failed to do so in their previous five World Cup appearances.
A vastly European based roster gives Tunisia a fighting chance against teams such as Denmark and Australia. The question to ask is whether Coach Jalel Kadri can have this team come together for the breakout performance that they desperately seek.
Current FIFA world ranking: No. 30, October, 2022
Regional ranking: 3rd (CAF)
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances, last appearance: 5 (Russia 2018)
Recent record (2-year span for all game styles):
2022: 7W-4L-2D
2021: 12W-4L-1D
Key players (club, country): Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier, France), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City, England), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly, Egypt)
Prediction
| Advances |
France | Yes |
Australia | No |
Denmark | Yes |
Tunisia | No |
Comments