Group C Preview: Allez Les Bleus

Next on the list is Group C. One of the groups that looks to consist of 1 clear favorite- France- and three other teams that will hope to snatch the second place.

France: France will certainly go into this World Cup with feelings of revenge, after their painful defeat at home against Portugal in the final of EURO 2016. France have all the rights to be ambitious in Russia, because they have one of the strongest selections. Griezmann, Pogba, Varane, Kante and Lloris are a few players with years of experience at the highest level. Coach Descamps decided to bring in a lot of new players as well, for who it will be their first chance to shine at a major tournament. The name that stands out here is Mbappé, 19 years old but already worth 180 million euros. Lemar, Tolisso, Fekir and Mendy are other hopeful prospects for the future. The strength of their selection is also visible in the names that didn't make it: Benzema, Martial, Coman, Lacazette, Rabiot and Digne to name some players. Payet and Koscielny will miss out because of injury. Basically the absentees could form a competitive team on their own, that's called luxury. This group should not give them too many problems, but a first big test could already wait in the next round. Nevertheless, I consider France to be one of the major contenders for the trophy.

Prediction: Semi-Final

Peru: One of the more unexpected nations that will be present at the World Cup. Peru qualified for the first time since 1982, although it was with a struggle. Peru overtook Chile on the last matchday on goal difference to come into 5th place, after they drew Colombia and Chile suffered a heavy loss in Brazil. This 5th place gave them the right to play an intercontinental play-off against New Zealand, which they won without any glamour (2-0, 0-0). South American teams are always among the better at World Cups, but in comparison with Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay, Peru doesn't seem to have those high quality players. Farfan had a long, successful spell at Schalke, but has already reached the age of 33. I was hoping for a selection of good old Claudio Pizarro, but the striker aged 39 years now is not selected. One of the stories in the run-up of this World Cup is their captain Paulo Guerreiro. The 34-year old forward was suspended for the use of cocaine, but the FIFA cancelled his suspension. Giving their long absence, the qualification itself is already a victory for Peru, but they will want to go head-to-head with Denmark for a place in the round of 16.

Prediction: Group Stage

Denmark: After missing out on the last two big tournaments, the Danish Dynamite is ready to explode again in Russia. Like their counterparts Peru, Denmark needed a play-off to reach this World Cup as well, in which they qualified with an impressive 5-1 away win at Ireland (after a goalless draw at home). While the golden ages of Danish football are only a precious memory for them these days (European champions in 1992), a draw against Peru and Australia offers some perspectives to qualify for the round of 16. Christian Eriksen is the unquestionable star player of this team, and he will be unmissable for them at the World Cup. For years he has been a world class player for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and is one of their main driving forces in their recent challenge to the top. His importance for the Danish team is also easy to demonstrate: he scored a hat-trick in the decisive game against Ireland. Dolberg of Ajax and Christensen of Chelsea are two other players that can have a bright future. Goalkeeper Smeichel of Leicester City is the son of the once legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Smeichel. The round of 16 should be the ambition for Denmark, but then they will have to face a big team from Group D: probably Argentina or Croatia.

Prediction: Round of 16

Australia: For as much sympathy as I always have for the Socceroos, I am not too hopeful about them. Their qualification was one with many obstacles and play-offs. Ending in third place behind Saudi-Arabia and Japan in their qualification group, they had to play not one but two play-offs to qualify for the World Cup. First they needed extra time to get past Syria, they they beat Honduras in the intercontinental play-off. Their selection is led by the legend of Australian football Tim Cahill, who at the age of 38 still managed a transfer to England in January (to Millwall in the Championship) and is still very influential for the team. Ryan and Mooy did well in the Premier League for Brighton and Huddersfield respectively, Kruse and Leckie have some Bundesliga experience. In a selection that is aged, 19 year old Arzani is a breath of fresh air. But I don't think their selection is strong enough to play a big part in this group. A repetition of their success in 2006, where they qualified for they round of 16, seems very unlikely.

Prediction: Group Stage