MALACCA, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 05: Aaron Mooy of Australia in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Playoff match between Syria and the Australia Socceroos at Hang Jebat Stadium on October 5, 2017 in Malacca, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and football fans across the world could not be more excited.

Although it's a bit different with the tournament being held in the middle of a season, the stakes are as high as ever as 32 countries battle it out to be world champions.

With the tournament getting so close now - here are the predictions for Group D.

France

Key player/s: Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe needs no introduction. He is one of the best players in the world and is known for his frightening pace and goal scoring ability. He has the opportunity to be a dual World Cup winner at the age of 23, which would be a surreal achievement. He is the key to France's chances at this World Cup.

Player to watch: William Saliba

21-year-old Saliba has been world-class for Arsenal in the Premier League this season and has already been touted as the next Virgil Van Dijk. Whilst it's unclear with Didier Deschamps will start Saliba, he will highly likely get game time throughout the tournament and it will be interesting to see if he can deal with the pressure of the World's biggest tournament at such a young age.

Prediction: Group Winners

Arguably the strongest side yet again at the World Cup, France will comfortably progress through to the knockout stage. Denmark may give them a little bit of trouble, but they will breeze past both Australia and Tunisia.

Will take nine points with them on their way to the knockout stages.

Australia

Key player/s: Aaron Mooy, Harry Souttar

Mooy will be the first-picked player in the squad with the way he has been going at Celtic. The bald-headed wizard has been playing week in and week out in Ange Postecoglou's side and his fitness is the best it has been for some months. A key player for Australia.

Souttar has proven he is fit and ready for the World Cup after a MOTM performance for Stoke against Luton Town. He was Stoke City's best defender before succumbing to an ACL injury a year ago and was brilliant for the National team as well. His defensive ability and aerial prowess are crucial to the Socceroos squad.

Player/s to watch: Garang Kuol

18-year-old Kuol just makes things happen whenever he sets foot on a football pitch, and it could be the case once again in Qatar. He has been in brilliant form for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League and was also exciting in his one and only Socceroos cameo against New Zealand. Graham Arnold is likely to use the incoming Newcastle United player as an impact substitute late in matches.

Prediction: 3rd in group

This was a tough one. The Socceroos are definitely strong enough to get 3 points against Tunisia, and will most likely lose to France. However, anything can happen against Denmark. It would be a huge upset if the Aussies managed to defeat them but a draw could also see them go through. Nevertheless, it will be a tough group for the Socceroos to get out of.

Denmark

Key player/s: Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Without either Eriksen or Hojbjerg, the Danish midfield becomes much weaker. Both are crucial to this squad due to their work-rate, and ability to both defend and attack with quality. Eriksen is one of the best technical footballers in the world and his range of passing is unrivalled to any other player in Group C, whilst Hojbjerg is defensively the best in Group C.

Without just one of these players, their chances of getting out of the group dip dramatically.

Player to watch: Mikkel Damsgaard

Damsgaard announced himself to the world with a terrific Euro 2020 campaign including a sensational free-kick goal against England. Since then, he has played 23 games at club level for both Sampdoria and Brentford, with only one assist and no goals to his name. It is a sensational drop in form after such a promising first glimpse, but still, at 22 years of age, he has another chance to show the World he is still good enough. 

Prediction: 2nd in group

The Danish set-up is very well-organised and full of talent, and it's hard to see them not progressing through to the next stage. They should be getting the chocolates against both Australia and Tunisia but will struggle against France. 

The knockout stages await a promising Denmark.

Tunisia

Key player/s: Ellyes Skhiri

The very underrated Skhiri will be on showcase in Qatar and his defensive work is nothing short of brilliant. The FC Koln midfielder is Tunisia's best player and is already touted as a Tunisian legend at the age of 27. He will be the glue to try and hold together a weak Tunisian midfield as they try and compete against the quality of teams such as France.

Player to watch: Hannibal Mejbri

The Manchester United loanee has appeared 14 times for Birmingham this season and will be starting almost every match at the World Cup. The 19-year-old midfielder is passionate and aggressive whilst having the ability to play some lovely passes. The wunderkind will have the opportunity to impress on the world stage at Qatar.

Prediction: Last in the group

Tunisia unfortunately do not have the squad depth nor the talent to compete with this group and I don't think they will be collecting a point from it. 

Match Day Picks

MD1:

Denmark 2-0 Tunisia

France 3-0 Australia

MD2:

Tunisia 1-2 Australia

France 2-1 Denmark

MD3:

Tunisia 0-4 France

Australia 1-2 Denmark

 

TABLE       

                       W       D       L        P

  1. France        3        0       0        9
  2. Denmark    2        0       1        6
  3. Australia    1        0       2        3
  4. Tunisia       0        0       3        0