2018 World Cup Group C: France in toughest FIFA ranked group

While Group A was formed of the lowest averaged FIFA ranked members, Group C is the toughest. The average FIFA ranking of France, Peru, Denmark and Australia is 17.75. Interestingly, however, only France qualified for the 2018 World Cup automatically, whereas Peru, Denmark and Australia all needed the play offs.

France

After losing out to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, Didier Deschamps will be expected to go one better in Russia, particularly with this golden generation of players at his disposal.

Les Bleus have often flattered to deceive during Deschamps reign and they will have to hit the ground running to overcome three potential banana skins and progress out of Group C.

While France are clear favourites on paper, they have failed to progress from the group stage of two of the last four editions of the tournament proving the favourites tag can often mean nothing.

Peru

Peru have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since the 1982 edition where they crashed out of the group stage without winning a single game.

In fact, Peru have failed to win any of their last six World Cup matches, losing four of those in the process. There is still uncertainty surrounding Paolo Guerrero’s availability for Peru, which only makes things more complicated for Ricardo Gareca’s side.

An average of 1.4 points per game in qualification is the joint lowest of any nation to have qualified for the 2018 World Cup, which doesn’t bode well for their chances in this tough group, with Guerrero or not.

Denmark

Like Peru, Denmark required the play-offs to secure their place at the 2018 World Cup. After failing to qualify for the 2014 edition, Denmark will make their fifth World Cup appearance and on three of those occasions they have escaped the groups.

Christian Eriksen netted eight goals in qualification (excluding play-off matches) and the Tottenham star will be instrumental to their chances in Russia.

The Danes knocked France out of Euro 1992 in their final group game before going all the way to win the trophy. Surely not again?

Australia

Australia required the play-offs, but have now qualified for the last four editions of the World Cup. However, there history in the competition does not make for good reading ahead of this highly competitive group. They have only won two of 13 matches at the World Cup finals and will almost certainly bank on Tim Cahill to help them achieve anything in Group C.