World Cup 2022

Denmark were the feel-good story of EURO 2020 - the team who rallied around Christian Eriksen after his cardiac arrest on the pitch, and who went on to deliver some of the best performances in the competition on their way to the semi-finals. And they come into the World Cup on fine form too - this is a side that nobody at all should be underestimating. 

Who is the Denmark manager?

Manager Kasper Hjulmand knows a thing or two about being underestimated. A slightly left-field choice when he was appointed to the Denmark job, Hjulmand was seen as a footballing ideologist, someone who might undo the work of predecessor Ade Hareide who had turned Denmark into a pragmatic, tough-to-beat unit by the end of his tenure. 

Hjulmand was a well-known subscriber to the philosophies of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola, but there were plenty who suggested that such a style of play might be a problem for Denmark, who perhaps didn’t have the on-pitch talent to succeed in such style. Hjulmand has proved them all wrong, and has become a figure idolised in his homeland - both for the way his team play, and for his emotional leadership during the turbulence of the last European Championship. 

What tactics can we expect from them at the World Cup?

Tactically, Denmark are incredibly flexible. They have the capacity to flick between systems not just from game-to-game but also within a 90 minute period. Denmark have switched between a 3-4-1-2 and a 4-3-3 system regularly, but their style remains consistent - an attacking unit supplemented by flying wing-backs and a solid core through the centre of defence and midfield. 

Who are the players to watch for Denmark?

One of the key elements to this is Atalanta’s Joakim Maehle - who dominates Denmark’s left-hand flank. A bundle of energy, whether it be from a wing-back position or a more traditional full-back, he is unrelenting getting up and down on his side of the pitch, with a genuine goal threat as well - no Dane scored more than his five in qualifying. 

The defensive element is strong too - even with Simon Kjaer just returning from a long injury layoff. Joachim Andersen and Andreas Christensen form an imposing pairing with a lovely passing range between them, whilst in front Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg provide a sturdy and effective platform from which the Danes can dominate the middle. 

 

And behind all of them are the safe and steady gloves of Kasper Schmeichel, who retains both the captain’s armband, and the trust of his manager as undisputed No. 1.

Højbjerg is key in both phases of the pitch though. Not just an elite breaker up of play, his passing ability and competence in breaking the lines is crucial to Denmark’s ability to turn defence into attack. 

The key man though, remains Christian Eriksen - who has stunned everyone by not only returning to football after his incident at EURO 2020, but by returning to the very top level with first Brentford, and then Manchester United. He is an inspirational figure for this side in so many different ways. 

First and foremost on the pitch though, he remains Denmark’s chief creator. Denmark have been slightly reliant on set pieces, and he is not only a direct threat from free-kicks, but also a reliable deliverer of the ball from both corners and wide areas, allowing a host of aerial threats the best possible opportunity to score. 

Who is favourite to be top scorer for Denmark?

The question of who will score Denmark’s goals though, remains a question. It looks likely that Kasper Dolberg is going to get given the nod through the middle, even if he has failed to truly impress since his move to Sevilla this summer. 

The former Ajax man was once heralded as perhaps the next big striker off a storied production line, but things have not gone the way that he might have hoped. Nonetheless, he remains a player of real talent, blessed with excellent movement and an all-round threat. 

How did Denmark qualify for the World Cup?

Getting to the tournament itself was something of a doddle for the Danes. They strolled through their Group in European Qualification, were unbeaten until they were already qualified, and tied a longstanding German record for the best ever points total in a qualification campaign, notching up a very impressive 27 points from just 10 games.

They didn’t concede a goal for the first eight of those games, ending up with a record of 30 scored and just three conceded, swatting aside the competition with consummate ease. Perhaps the person who used that campaign to best effect was Club Brugge’s Andreas Skov Olsen, who scored five times and looks to have made a starting berth his own.

What are the ambitions for this Denmark team?

Hjulmand’s personable nature and Denmark’s remarkable story at the last EUROs might make this all seem like a fairytale, but there is a fierce competitor in there and a squad that matches his ambition. 

“These players are burning madly for the national team,” he said back in June 2021 - a flame that no doubt burns even brighter after what they have come through as a unit. They’ll be looking to stun France again in the Group Stages, and a Quarter-Final berth would mark a very decent tournament. 

Denmark World Cup Odds

At 33/1, they remain a very backable dark horse in almost every sense. 

Denmark World Cup prediction by oddschecker

Denmark should qualify from a group containing France, Tunisia and Australia. They are the second best team in that group, and the game against the French will decide who should top the group. Whoever wins the group should avoid Argentina, who will most likely top Group C, so it really hinges on where Denmark finish to determine how far they can go.

Should they play Argentina, they would be the underdog and could bow out. However, they face a much better chance against the other two realistic teams in that group in Poland or Mexico. We think France will win the group, and Denmark could be knocked out in the Round of 16, which is a best price of 9/4.