France's Possible Opponents in World Cup Knockout Stage

This Friday evening, France and their PSG stars will meet Norway in what many see as the most eagerly awaited group stage match of this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Both teams are still battling to top the group.

In their last match, Ousmane Dembele finally netted his first goal for Didier Deschamps' squad in a major tournament after 19 attempts. Earlier, Bradley Barcola scored as a substitute against Senegal. Other PSG players like Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaire-Emery have yet to get on the field during the tournament.

Les Bleus hold a slight advantage with a better goal difference, meaning they need only a draw to secure first place in the group. But what happens depending on whether they finish first or second?

If France Finish First

A draw or win ensures France top the group, which means they would face a third-place team from one of these groups: C, D, F, G, or H. The likely opponent is the third-place team from Group F, currently Sweden. The third-place team from Group C, Scotland, probably won't advance.

If France Finish Second

Should France lose to Erling Haaland and Norway and drop to second place, their next match becomes clearer. They would face Ivory Coast on Tuesday at 19:00 CET in Arlington.

This matchup draws extra interest. Ivory Coast, 2023 AFCON champions, beat France in a recent friendly. Plus, Desire Doue’s brother, Guela, plays right back for Ivory Coast, adding an intriguing family angle if they meet.

Ivory Coast is a strong team making its first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stage. This generation has succeeded where legends like Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba did not.

Of course, any knockout stage match is tough. All opponents have earned their spot, making each game challenging. Still, finishing first in the group typically offers an easier path, something no team would turn down.