At the 2022 World Cup, a few groups will have more than one clear favourite. But in Group D, there are two potential champions.
While France and Denmark, ranked in the top ten teams in the world, are strong favourites to go to the knockout stages, Australia and Tunisia are not. They want to create a splash and perhaps surprise some folks.
This sets up Group D as one with the potential for exciting play, complete with a dramatic showdown on the last day to determine who progresses to the quarterfinals.
Group Stage: Group D Complete Match Schedule
France, the current World Cup holders, have a commanding lead in Group D and are heavy favourites to progress as the group’s top team. The 4-1 comeback win against Australia shows they’re unwilling to give up their crown easily.
Denmark, which reached the semifinals of Euro 2021, is considered the finest team in the running for the other knockout round slot. However, a scoreless draw against Tunisia may have harmed the Danes’ prospects of finishing in the first place.
If Argentina manages to rally and win Group C, the group winner will be spared a possible matchup with the team in the round of 16.
France, Denmark, and Australia all played in Group C at Russia 2018, with France and Denmark advancing and Australia coming last. This group has a remarkable repetition of three teams competing against one another at the same level.
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Denmark vs Tunisia | 08:00 A.M. | Education City Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | France vs Australia | 02:00 P.M. | Al Janoub Stadium |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Tunisia vs Australia | 05:00 A.M. | Al Janoub |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | France vs Denmark | 11:00 A.M. | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Australia vs Denmark | 10:00 A.M. | Al Janoub |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Tunisia vs France | 10:00 A.M. | Education City |
Denmark Team Brief Overview
The Danes aren’t making any public declaration. Subtly improving over time, they’ve become one of the best-performing national football teams in the world, and now they’re here to prove it. They won’t be afraid of the reigning champions, France, since they’ve defeated them twice already in 2022.
This kind of assurance has the Danish Dynamite believing they can win their group and go far in the competition.
- FIFA Ranking: 10
- Odds of Winning: In The Running
- One Player to Watch: Denmark’s success depends on the play of both Christian Eriksen up front and Simon Kjaer in the back, but Kjaer is the more important of the two.
Tunisia Team Brief Overview
Most people don’t give Tunisia a chance to get out of Group D at the World Cup. They plan on putting it on bulletin boards. They had a demanding schedule in preparation for this tournament, although Brazil dominated them.
They did manage to overcome Japan and Chile in 2022. They’ll be showing some attacking tenacity and hoping their defensive stability will allow them to steal a win or two in the group stage.
- FIFA Ranking: 30
- Odds of Winning: Needs Some Help
- One Player to Watch: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane may be an excellent option to speed up the Eagles of Carthage’s midfield.
France Team Brief Overview
France is defending its World Cup title and is returning to the tournament. The 2018 World Cup champions are returning for more, and their squad is still pretty young with more knowledge and big hopes.
They have a great team of youth and experience to wear down any opponent, led by one of the most performing players in the world, Kylian Mbappé. They are not invincible, but with a team as potent as theirs, they must be considered a serious contender to win it all again.
- FIFA Ranking: 4
- Odds of Winning Group: Favorite
- One Player to Watch: It will be a treat to watch Eduardo Camavinga tear it up in this competition because he’s in a position to do some severe damage.
Australia Team Brief Overview
In contrast to previous tournaments, Australia did not bring a roster of household stars into the 2022 World Cup. They may be physically overmatched, but they’re nonetheless a difficult out. After winning two playoff matches in Qatar in June, the team qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
They first defeated the United Arab Emirates in the AFC playoff before advancing to the World Cup by defeating Peru in the inter-confederation playoff on penalties.
The team plans to be ready for the weather and is hoping for a surprise victory that would put them in a better position to progress.
- FIFA Ranking: 38
- Odds of Winning: Needs Some Help
- One Player to Watch: Only Mathew Leckie has scored more than ten goals for his country in an international competition. Therefore, he will be expected to carry the attacking load.