2022 World Cup Group D preview, teams, odds, more: Can France repeat?

The defending World Cup champions, France, highlight the field in Group D, but a top-10 team with a returning hero will be keen on becoming the darlings of the tournament in Qatar. 

2022 World Cup Group D preview

Australia

• FIFA Rank: 38th
• Qualification: Defeated Peru in inter-confederation play-off
• Previous World Cup appearances: 5
• Best finish: Round of 16 (2006)
• Odds to win group: +2500
• Odds to make knockout stage: +400
• Odds to win World Cup: +40000

Australia is the minnow of this group which had to survive a dizzying qualifying campaign just to make it to Qatar. The Socceroos are a physical team with nowhere near the firepower to keep up with the other teams in this group, so they’ll live and die by the counter-attack — meaning they’ll be bossed in the possession game.

X-Factor: Aaron Mooy The Celtic stalwart will play the pivotal role of setting that physical tone in the midfield for Australia, but he has the quality and experience playing in Scotland and before that, the Premier League, to spark the counter.

Australia World Cup Roster

Denmark

• FIFA Rank: 10th
• Qualification: Group F winners in UEFA qualifying
• Previous World Cup appearances: 5
• Best finish: Quarterfinals (1998)
• Odds to win group: +225
• Odds to make knockout stage: -280
• Odds to win World Cup: +2500

The Danes are certainly a team to watch at the tournament. They went 9-0-1 in World Cup qualifying and have recently defeated France in Nations League play. They play a high-pressing style of play and have the talent to rip teams apart through all three portions of the pitch.

X-Factor: Christian Eriksen Roughly 16 months after his cardiac arrest in the European Championships, Denmark’s talisman will lead his team at the World Cup — a remarkable comeback that has already been in motion for some time. He has played well with Manchester United but has a chance to star in Qatar given his versatile playmaking skills within Denmark’s midfield as an attacking threat.

Denmark World Cup Roster

France

• FIFA Rank: 4th
• Qualification: Group D winner in UEFA qualifying
• Previous World Cup appearances: 15
• Best finish: Champions (1998, 2018)
• Odds to win group: -225
• Odds to make knockout stage: -1400
• Odds to win World Cup: +700

The defending champions still have plenty to prove, especially after being knocked out by Switzerland in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020. Regardless, Les Bleus still has one of the most imposing collective rosters of talent at the tournament, which means another deep run at the World Cup is expected.

X-Factor: Kylian Mbappe This spot was originally reserved for Karim Benzema — the Real Madrid star and reigning Ballon d’Or winner who broke back into his national team side after a six-year hiatus. But a thigh injury in training Saturday has knocked him out of the tournament in a massive blow for Les Bleus. Even more pressure to put on the brilliant Mbappe, whose coming out party came four years ago in Russia as the French lifted the trophy.

France World Cup Roster

Tunisia

• FIFA Rank: 30th
• Qualification: Defeated Mali in CAF 3rd Round
• Previous World Cup appearances: 5
• Best finish: Group Stage (’78, ’98, ’02, ’06, ’18)
• Odds to win group: +1600
• Odds to make knockout stage: +300
• Odds to win World Cup: +50000

A veteran team, especially up front, will sit with Australia as the underdogs of the group. But a hard-working midfield and a stout defense ensure Tunisia will be a tough out.

X-Factor: Youssef Msakni The Tunisian winger has been ripping it up for Al Arabi in Qatar, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances during his loan spell with the club. He has scored 17 goals with the Tunisian national team and is considered one of their very best options up front. The 32-year-old will also have a chip on his shoulder after missing out on the 2018 World Cup due to injury.

Tunisia World Cup Roster

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings

2022 World Cup Group D schedule

For more on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, visit AMNY.com