Who Could France Face in the World Cup Knockout Round? Possible Matchups

On Friday evening, France will face Norway in their final group stage match of the FIFA World Cup. This game draws a lot of attention, especially with PSG stars like Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola involved. Both teams are eager to claim the top spot in the group.

Dembele recently scored his first major tournament goal for coach Didier Deschamps' team after 19 attempts, while Barcola also found the net off the bench against Senegal. Other PSG players such as Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaire-Emery have yet to make their tournament debut.

What Happens if France Tops the Group?

If Les Bleus manage a draw or win against Norway, securing first place, they will face a third-placed team from groups C, D, F, G, or H. Among these, the third-place team in Group C (Scotland) looks unlikely to advance. The more probable opponent might be Sweden, currently sitting third in Group F.

If France Finishes Second

A loss to Erling Haaland's Norway would put France second in the group. That scenario sets up a knockout game against Ivory Coast in Arlington next Tuesday at 19:00 CET.

This matchup is intriguing for several reasons. Ivory Coast, the 2023 AFCON champions, defeated France in a friendly earlier this month. Additionally, the Ivorian squad features Guela Doue, brother of Desire Doue, adding an interesting family angle to the potential encounter.

The Challenge of Facing Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast has earned its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout rounds, achieving something previous generations led by Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba could not. Their quality makes them a tough opponent regardless of past results.

When you reach the knockout stage, every opponent is strong. Still, finishing top of the group clearly improves France’s chances by offering a potentially easier path forward.