World Cup 2022: Group D Preview
France not only holds the World Cup trophy, they boast the World's best player at the moment, Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. Can he and his teammates avoid the dreaded World Cup champion curse?
France
FIFA Rank: #4
Qualified as: 1st place in UEFA Group D
The Skinny
The reigning champions will be looking to be the first repeat winners since Brazil in 1962. However, they will also be looking to be the first European-based reigning World Cup champions to qualify for the knockout stages since 1994, as the last four (including the 2002 France team) stunningly crashed out in the group stages. Can they avoid the same fate? Recent results say...well, maybe. Since 2018, France left in the group stage of the 2019 Nations League and then infamously crashed out in penalties in the Round of 16 in last Summer's Euro Cup. But lest you thought the die was cast for Les Bleus, they returned to the top of the trophy podium in the 2021 Nations League, and then breezed through World Cup qualifying without a loss. Smart money is still on them maximizing potential, I'd say.
The Best XI
France is one of those teams where it's so hard to pick a "Best XI" because they're absolutely loaded at just about every position. This is best epitomized in attack, which could feature the reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema, reigning Ligue 1 player of the year Kylian Mbappé, reigning Bundesliga player of the year Christopher Nkunku, and Barcelona star Ousmane Dembelé. If there's one thing that could slow down this France team, it's the slew of injuries which have hit their midfield and center-back stable in particular. However, in Real Madrid duo Tchouaméni and Camavinga, and Premier League starters Willy Saliba (Arsenal) and Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), they should still be in good shape.
Australia
FIFA Rank: #38
Qualified as: 3rd place in AFC Group B, defeated United Arab Emirates and Peru in playoffs
The Skinny
Australia, who has undergone the best stretch in their history, not missing a single World Cup since their surprise breakout success in the 2006 tournament, suddenly seemed a real risk to miss the boat to Qatar due to a lackluster qualifying campaign. However, The Socceroos cobbled together enough wins to qualify for one Asian-specific playoff, which they won over the U.A.E., and then an inter-conferderational playoff, in which they upset Peru to book the last spot in the tournament. They'll enter Group D as underdogs, but they've shown they seem to perform best with their backs against a wall.
The Best XI
Australia's squad is full of familiar names, with longtime veterans Matthew Leckie, Matthew Ryan, Jackson Irvine and Aaron Mooy sure bets to start. Much of their exciting talent elsewhere resides in the younger players like Awer Mabil (Cádiz), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Riley McGree (MIddlesbrough), and Harry Souttar (Stoke CIty).
Denmark
FIFA Rank: #10
Qualified as: 1st place in UEFA Group F
The Skinny
Denmark was one of the main stories of last summer's Euro Cup, first for their bravery in the face of horror, and then for their inspiring play on the field. Their tournament could not have started worse as star player Christian Eriksen suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest on the pitch and a shellshocked Danish side ultimately fell to Finland. While Eriksen was later stabilized, The Red and Whites dropped another match. But they scraped through to the knockout stages thanks to an emotional big win in their final group match, and then hit their stride, advancing to the semifinals, where they nearly knocked off hosts England. That run of form, as well as a dominant qualifying display, has made the Danes a trendy sleeper pick to make another deep run in this World Cup.
The Best XI
The bulk of that sneakily talented Denmark team that reached the Euro semifinals should be back in the starting XI. Expect an emotional return for Eriksen, now with Manchester United, and he could feasibly partner with Premier League peer Pierre-Emile Højberg of Tottenham in midfield. They could boast a frightening attack of Leipzig's Poulsen, Sevilla's Dolberg and Brentford's Damsgaard. There's plenty of good veteran experience at the back, too, with longtime captain Simon Kjær of Milan, longtime center-back partner Andreas Christensen of Barcelona, and Nice's Kasper Schmeicel in goal.
Tunisia
FIFA Rank: #30
Qualified as: Defeated Mali 1-0 on agg. in CAF Third Round
The Skinny
Tunisia are back for a second-straight World Cup, and sixth all-time after missing the 2010 and 2014 editions. They have gradually become one of the most solid performers in and from Africa, becoming a consistent presence at the World Cup, as well as deep in the knockout stages of the African Cup of Nations. With only one trophy to their name, though (the 2004 Cup of Nations, played on home soil), the next step for Tunisia is to make a splash at the World Cup, which is a tall task. If nothing else, The Eagles of Carthage again take home the award for coolest nickname.
The Best XI
Tunisia's short on eye-popping talent, but high on experience and cohesion, with many familiar names from standout performances in past World Cups. Some of those names, such as captain Youssef Msakni, star attacker Wabib Khazri, and veterans Ellyes Shkiri, Ferjani Sassi, Dylan Bronn and Aymen Mathlouthi, figure to feature in their starting lineup once again.
Group Prediction
It would certainly be pretty shocking if we got anything other than France and Denmark out of this group, and Tunisia and Australia eliminated. Where those teams fall within the 1/2 slots and the 3/4 slots is much more up in the air. But... beware the defending champion curse. I can't fathom France losing to anyone other than Denmark in this group, but there are enough concerns (injuries, squad harmony, Didier Deschamps' preferred playing style) for them that make me think they will go the route of Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014, and Germany in 2018. I don't really think France will fail to progress, but I did really think Germany would fail four years ago and was too scared to pick it, so I'm going to do the reverse here. I trust Tunisia more as a consistent team than Australia, and they get France last, so they're the lucky beneficiaries here.
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