Who will be the French team’s opponent in the round of 32? The first day of the twelve groups of this 2026 World Cup has barely delivered its verdict that some are already planning for the rest of the competition. This is the case of the account Football Meets Data who, on X (formerly Twitter), revealed the potential table for the knockout phase.
At this stage of the tournament, nothing is obviously final, but it is always interesting to know what can await the first and second in each group, as well as the eight best thirds. For the Blues, currently second in Group I after their victory against Senegal (3-1), behind Norway who outclassed Iraq (4-1), here is what that would look like.
Football Meets Data is not based on the current situation but establishes projections to determine the final ranking of each group. The statistician estimates the chances of Didier Deschamps’ players qualifying at 99.9%, compared to 98% for Erling Haaland’s teammates. For him, therefore, the Tricolores should finish on top.
France-Germany in the round of 16?
The draw, carried out last December, provides that the leader of group I will face a third from groups C, D, F, G and H in sixteenth. An opponent which, at the moment T, would more likely be Sweden, which nevertheless occupies first place in group F ahead of Japan and the Netherlands thanks to its inaugural card recorded against Tunisia (5-1).
According to these estimates, and if the logic of the FIFA ranking was respected to the end, Kylian Mbappé’s partners could then meet Germany in the round of 16, Morocco in the quarters and Spain in the semi-finals. Before a possible new final against Argentina, which could for its part cross Portugal in the quarters and England in the semis.
The potential round of 32
- South Korea – Canada
- Netherlands – Morocco
- Germany – Scotland
- France – Sweden
- Colombia – Croatia
- Spain – Austria
- United States – Bosnia
- Belgium – Czechia
- Brazil – Japan
- Ivory Coast – Norway
- Mexico – Cape Verde
- England – Senegal
- Argentina – Uruguay
- Australia – Egypt
- Sweden – Ecuador
- Portugal – Türkiye
