Group D Predictions 2022
France are looking to become only the second nation in the tournament history to win back-to-back World Cups, but first they must focus on getting out of Group D. Their opponents include an up-and-coming force from Europe, a typically dogged team from Africa, and one of the strongest sides from the Asian confederation.
Here is our guide to Group D in Qatar, including players to watch, how the teams made it this far and what might happen next.
France
Record
France are the holders heading into this winter after Didier Deschamps’ side lifted the trophy in Russia four years ago. Back in 1998, Deschamps was a member of the squad that won France’s first ever World Cup, and on home soil to boot.
There is one bad omen, however. Les Bleus, as the reigning champions, were expected to go deep in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. Instead, they suffered a humbling group stage exit after failing to win any of their three matches.
Players to watch
Kylian Mbappe is one of the best players on the planet and the forward has made no secret of the fact that he prefers playing for France than Paris Saint-Germain right now. That is in large part because he enjoys a system which allows him to play alongside a world-class centre-forward in Karim Benzema, the deserved winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
France have talent right across the pitch, with strength in depth that is the envy of every other nation. Deschamps will hope that N’Golo Kante, still a supreme ball-winner when fit, does not encounter any injury problems ahead of the competition.
Highlights from qualifying
France did not have everything their own way in their qualification group, but a first-place finish never really looked under threat. A record of three draws in eight games was disappointing in some ways, but les Bleus went unbeaten and ultimately finished six points clear at the summit of the standings.
The weakness of the opposition must be taken into account, but it was hard not to be wowed by France’s display in an 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan last November. Mbappe was the star of the show at the Parc des Princes, scoring four goals – the first three of which came inside 32 minutes – to blow the visitors away.
Australia
Record
In 2006 Australia swapped the Oceania confederation for the Asian one in a bid to play more competitive games against teams at a similar level. The move appears to have worked: the Socceroos have now qualified for five World Cups in a row.
Their debut came back in 1974, when they exited in the group phase. That is also as far as Australia got in 2010, 2014 and 2018, but perhaps their strongest squad of all time reached the round of 16 at Germany 2006.
Players to watch
Scotland-born Martin Boyle switched allegiance to Australia four years ago and is now one of the key players for his father’s birth country. The Hibernian winger is a direct runner who excels at carrying the ball up the pitch, a vital attribute given that the Socceroos will spend plenty of time playing on the counter-attack in Group D.
Tom Rogic is the most talented member of the Australia squad but he is not always the most consistent performer. In between the posts, goalkeeper Mat Ryan will probably be kept very busy by the attacks of France, Denmark and Tunisia.
Highlights from qualifying
Australia had a perfect record in the first group phase of the Asian section of qualification, beating each of Kuwait, Jordan, Nepal and Taiwan home and away. They did not fare so well in the next round of the process, though: Australia finished a distant third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan, the two teams who secured automatic berths in Qatar in their six-team group.
Therefore, the highlight of their campaign was the play-offs. First, Australia beat the United Arab Emirates to go forward as Asia’s representative in the inter-confederation match, which pitted them against Peru. The Socceroos were the underdogs but won 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.
Denmark
Record
Denmark became a cult team at the 1986 World Cup, where their attractive jerseys and attack-minded style of play won them admirers from all four corners of the globe. But while the Danish dynamo lit up the group stage with victories over West Germany, Uruguay and Scotland, they were thrashed 5-1 by Spain in the round of 16.
Denmark’s best ever showing was a place in the quarter-finals in 1998. They reached the first knockout round in 2002 and 2018, but did not make it out of the group at South Africa 2010.
Players to watch
Christian Eriksen’s comeback from suffering an on-field cardiac arrest at last summer’s European Championship has been nothing short of remarkable. Denmark are an even stronger side with the Manchester United schemer in it.
Simon Kjaer is an important figure at centre-back for his reading of the game, leadership qualities and aerial ability, while Joakim Maehle was one of the stars of Denmark’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020. Up front, Kasper Dolberg is a handful for opposition defences.
Highlights from qualifying
Denmark were sensational in their European qualification group, accumulating 27 points out of a possible 30 to book their place in Qatar in style. They scored 30 goals in total – an average of three per match – and conceded just three overall, demonstrating their quality in both attack and defence.
Their 4-0 thumping of Austria was a highlight, as Kasper Hjulmand’s side blew their opponents away in Vienna.
Tunisia
Record
Tunisia debuted at the 1978 World Cup, when they were knocked out in the group stage despite beating Mexico and drawing with West Germany, the reigning champions. The Eagles of Carthage then participated in three consecutive competitions between 1998 and 2006, but again they failed to make it into the knockout rounds.
Tunisia once more went out at the end of the group phase four years ago, as they finished third in a tough group containing Belgium, England and Panama.
Players to watch
Tunisia’s strength lies in the collective rather than any standout individuals, although they will rely heavily on the Zamalek centre-forward Seifeddine Jaziri to convert any chances that come his way. The likely centre-back partnership of Dylan Bronn and Montassar Talbi will have to remain focused throughout, as Tunisia are unlikely to have much possession against France and Denmark in particular.
Highlights from qualifying
Tunisia finished top of their group in the first stage of the African qualification process, amassing 13 points from a possible 18 in fixtures against Equatorial Guinea, Zambia and Mauritania. They conceded just two goals in six games, advancing to the play-offs with a minimum of fuss.
Their two-legged tie against Mali was extremely tight: Tunisia won the first leg 1-0 in Bamako, then drew the return fixture 0-0 four days later.
Key matches
France vs Denmark is the most eagerly anticipated fixture in this group, with the winner of the contest on November 26 likely to finish first. It will also be interesting to see whether Australia can give the defending champions a scare when they meet France on November 22.
Group prediction
1. Denmark
2. France
3. Tunisia
4. Australia
