For a defending champion with a manager, Didier Deschamps, who is on his third World Cup cycle with an incredible pool of talent from which to choose, France is looking mighty unstable. Off-field issues—allegations of sexual harassment against the federation president, an image-rights dispute featuring Kylian Mbappé and claims that Paul Pogba enlisted a witch doctor to hinder Mbappé—have cast a pall on what looked to be a smooth run in Qatar. Injuries have caused even more concern. Still, Les Bleus are so enormously talented that melting down at the group stage seems inconceivable—even for a side with a history of doing just that.
If France falters, Denmark will be ready to pounce. The Danes are hoping for another big showing at a major tournament after an inspired run to the Euro 2020 semifinals, and they should be bolstered by the emotional return of star midfielder Christian Eriksen. The 30-year-old, who collapsed during the Euros after suffering cardiac arrest, returned to the pitch for Denmark in March and scored two minutes into his return. One of the most accomplished Danish players of his generation, Eriksen provides a veteran presence and a bit of creativity even without the burst he used to possess.
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