Who Might France Face in the World Cup Knockout Rounds? Possible Matchups Explored

On Friday evening, France will clash with Norway in what many see as a key group stage match at this year’s FIFA World Cup. Both teams are competing fiercely to claim the top spot in their group.

The spotlight shines on PSG stars such as Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and others. Dembele recently scored his first goal for Didier Deschamps’ squad in a major tournament after 19 attempts, while Barcola found the net as a substitute against Senegal. However, players like Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaire-Emery have yet to make their tournament debuts.

What Happens if France Tops the Group?

Thanks to a slightly better goal difference, Les Bleus only need a draw to guarantee first place. Securing the top spot means France will face a third-placed team from one of the groups C, D, F, G, or H.

Looking closer, the third-place team from Group C, Scotland, is unlikely to advance further. The most probable opponent would be Sweden, currently third in Group F. This matchup could shape France’s path forward.

If France Finishes Second

A loss to Norway, led by Erling Haaland, would drop France to second place. This position leads them to face Ivory Coast in Arlington next Tuesday at 19:00 CET.

This potential encounter carries added intrigue. Ivory Coast, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions, actually defeated France in a recent friendly earlier this month. Their squad also includes Guela Doue, brother of Desire Doue, who could end up facing his sibling on the field.

Ivory Coast’s rise marks their first-ever progression into the World Cup knockout rounds, achieving what legends like Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba couldn’t. Their quality makes this a challenging fixture.

The Road Ahead

No matter who France faces in the knockout stages, it promises to be a tough test. Every opponent earned their place, making each match highly competitive.

That said, finishing first in the group does appear to offer a slightly easier route. Securing that advantage is always preferable.