| Country | FIFA Rank | Odds to win WC |
|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | +700 |
| Australia | 38 | +40000 |
| Denmark | 10 | +2200 |
| Tunisia | 30 | +50000 |
France
Returning World Cup champions & clear favorites to emerge at the top of Group D, France are also the favorites of European competitor’s in this year’s tournament with only Brazil & Argentina ahead of them. Despite having the talent to do so, no team has retained the World Cup in the last 60 years since Brazil did it back in 1958 & 1962 & Les Bleus will be very well aware of this going into Qatar. France possess a deep squad filled with immense talent & experience & have one of the easier group stages in Qatar, for better or worse. While Denmark are a nation on the rise & have what it takes to challenge the biggest names in world football, I don’t think they’ll be able to best the French & I expect they’ll sweep Group D with a perfect 9 points on their way to the round-of-16.
Prediction: Winner Group D
Australia
Australian find themselves in something of a Golden Era of Football with Qatar being their 5th consecutive World Cup appearance dating back to 2008. The Socceroos claim the lowest FIFA rank in their group, though slightly better odds than Tunisia to lift the cup, though let’s be honest, any team at +10000 or better odds doesn’t really stand a chance (no offense, Leicester). While there may be a glimmer of hope with Denmark not exactly a juggernaut & anything can happen at the World Cup, I wouldn’t put too much faith behind the Aussies to finish better than a respectable, albeit meaningless, third place in Group D.
Prediction: Eliminated in Group Stage
Denmark
Led by a revived Christian Eriksen, Denmark has what it takes to stage a run in this year’s tournament. Were it not for a potential date with Messi & Argentina in the round-of-16 I could see them making a run into the semis, though crazier things have happened. A balance of the experienced Christensen, Eriksen, & Hojbjerg combined with the young talent in Damsgaard & Lindstrøm makes for an exciting squad that has what it takes to be the dark horse in Qatar. Despite lacking the worldly talent & history of many of their European counterparts, the Danes have progressed beyond the group stage in all but 1 of their 5 World Cup appearances to date & I expect that trend to continue in this year’s tournament.
Prediction: 2nd Place in Group B
Tunisia
Tunisia are an attack-oriented side with most of their talent in the final third of the pitch. While that approach often makes for an exciting prospect, it leaves them vulnerable at the back & that’s not where you want to be against such talented squads as France & Denmark. The first African team to win a World Cup match (1978), Tunisia failed to register a win another tournament win until their appearance in Russia in 2018. The knockout stage has long eluded the Tunisian’s & not only is history not on their side, but their opposition simply appears too much to handle & I expect the Carthage Eagles to be fighting against the Socceroos for pride & a third-place finish in the group.
Prediction: Eliminated in Group Stage
