World Cup 2022 | Group D preview

Which groups are in Group D on the 2022 World Cup?

France are the massive favourites to progress from Group D, though each one of many different groups on this group – Australia, Denmark and Tunisia – will fancy giving ‘Les Bleus’ a tough time in Qatar. Denmark had been semi-finalists at Euro 2020, Tunisia gave England a scare on the final World Cup and Australia are at all times aggressive. France have had World Cup meltdowns earlier than and can must be on their guard to forestall it taking place once more this winter.

Be taught extra in regards to the 2022 World Cup teams

How did every staff in Group D qualify for the 2022 World Cup?

France certified as winners of a fairly-straightforward group, they usually put a few of their weaker opponents to the sword – not least the 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan in Paris by which Kylian Mbappe scored 4 instances. Denmark had been additionally group winners, successful 9 of their 10 video games and pushing Scotland to play-off elimination.

Tunisia gained their qualification group after which eradicated Mali over two legs within the ultimate spherical, whereas Australia wanted a play-off win after ending third of their group behind Saudi Arabia and Japan. In a match held in Qatar, the Socceroos clinched their World Cup spot by knocking out the UAE.

What’s the World Cup pedigree of every staff in Group D?

After failing to qualify in 1990 and 1994, France have emerged as certainly one of worldwide soccer’s superpowers over the past couple of many years. They’re the defending champions after thrashing Croatia within the ultimate of Russia 2018, including to their triumph in 1998. Regardless of a star-studded squad, France followers could also be cautious of the truth that the final two instances France reached the World Cup ultimate, they didn’t win a sport on the following match.

Australia have certified for the final 4 World Cups in a row and can hope to match or higher their 2006 greatest performances, the place they reached the final 16 earlier than dropping to eventual champions Italy. Tunisia themselves are but to make it out of the group phases at a World Cup and have by no means gained a couple of sport at any such match.

Solely as soon as of their historical past have Denmark gained a knockout sport at a World Cup, and that got here all the way in which again in 1998. Nonetheless, the Danes had been truly unbeaten on the 2018 match, by which they – like Australia – had been additionally drawn in a bunch with France.

France and Denmark are favourites to qualify from the group, with the defending champions odds-on to prime the desk. At 3/1, Tunisia are the outsiders to succeed in the knockouts.

Who’re one of the best gamers to be careful for in Group C on the 2022 World Cup?

Karim Benzema – France

Kylian Mbappe continues to be a worldwide star, nevertheless it’s onerous to look previous Karim Benzema’s outstanding current achievements which culminated in his Ballon d’Or win simply previous to the World Cup. Benzema scored 44 instances for Actual Madrid in 2021-22 and is the primary Frenchman to win the award since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.

Christian Eriksen – Denmark

Christian Eriksen is at all times a fantastic participant to observe, however there might be an additional degree of excellent will within the air when the Danish playmaker takes to the sector in Qatar, simply over a 12 months after he suffered a cardiac arrest whereas enjoying for his nation. Eriksen’s return to high-level soccer is without doubt one of the most uplifting tales within the sport, and he scored simply two minutes into his worldwide return for Denmark in March this 12 months.

Mat Ryan – Australia

An skilled shot-stopper who performed over 100 instances for Brighton, 2022 might be Mat Ryan’s third World Cup. He was named Greatest Goalkeeper when Australia gained the 2015 Asia Cup and has had the excellence of captaining the Socceroos on that event. Ryan can have the problem of holding Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and the remaining off the scoresheet in Qatar.

Wahbi Khazri – Tunisia

It was a staff effort for Tunisia as they certified for Qatar 2022, with the targets shared round the entire staff – together with an personal objective by Mali that sealed Tunisia’s place on the match itself. Wahbi Khazri, although, struck three very important targets in qualification, and the Montpellier quantity 10 will look so as to add to his tally in Qatar.

When do the 2022 World Cup Group D matches happen?