AUSTRALIA (FIFA RANKING: 38TH)
A last 16 berth will be a good achievement for Graham Arnold
COACH
Graham Arnold, 59, was appointed in 2018 after Bert van Marwijk departed in the wake of the last World Cup. Arnold was previously an assistant at the Socceroos and worked alongside Guus Hiddink during the 2006 World Cup, where Australia made the last 16.
Aaron Mooy marshals the midfield for the Socceroos
KEY PLAYER
Aaron Mooy is arguably Australia's most important player, marshalling the midfield and bringing vast experience. Now with Celtic, the 32-year old played in the Premier League for Brighton and Huddersfield.
Best World Cup performance: Last 16 in 2006
How they qualified: Came third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan in Asian qualifying Group B, then won intercontinental playoff against Peru 5-4 on penalties after game was deadlocked without a goal for 120 minutes
GROUP FIXTURES
NOV 22: v France
NOV 26: v Tunisia
NOV 30: v Denmark
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic
Defenders: Milos Degenek, Aziz Behich, Joel King, Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng
Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Riley McGree
Forwards: Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Mitchell Duke, Garang Kuol, Craig Goodwin
DENMARK (FIFA RANKING: 10TH)
Kasper Hjulmand has guided the Danes to the Euro 2021 semis
COACH
Kasper Hjulmand, 50, was appointed in 2020. Hjulmand guided the Danes to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, overcoming the trauma of Christian Eriksen's on-pitch collapse in the opening game before falling just short against England after a controversial extra-time penalty.
Christian Eriksen will make an emotional appearance at the World Cup after his cardiac arrest on the field at the last Euros
KEY PLAYER
Christian Eriksen's presence at the World Cup is nothing short of a "miracle". The playmaker "died for five minutes" after collapsing on the pitch following a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. He was fitted with a defibrillator as he returned to action after eight months out. He will be appearing at his third World Cup.
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finalists in 1998
How they qualified: Denmark finished first in European qualifying Group F
GROUP FIXTURES
Nov 22: v Tunisia
Nov 26: v France
Nov 30: v Australia
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Oliver Christensen, Frederik Ronnow
Defenders: Simon Kjaer, Joachim Andersen, Joakim Maehle, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Jens Stryger Larsen, Victor Nelsson, Daniel Wass, Alexander Bah
Midfielders: Thomas Delaney, Mathias Jensen, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Christian Norgaard
Forwards: Andreas Skov Olsen, Jesper Lindstrom, Andreas Cornelius, Martin Braithwaite, Kasper Dolberg, Mikkel Damsgaard, Jonas Wind, Robert Skov, Jonas Wind, Yussuf Poulsen
FRANCE (FIFA RANKING: 4TH)
Didier Deschamps has won the World Cup both as captain and coach COACH
Didier Deschamps, 54, is one of only three men to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach. He followed in the footsteps of Brazil's Mario Zagallo and West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer as he captained France to victory as hosts in 1998 and then coached them to glory four years ago in Russia.
Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will hope to inspire Les Blues to victory KEY PLAYER
Karim Benzema is enjoying a remarkable twilight to his career. He will turn 35 the day after the World Cup final but he goes to Qatar fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or as recognition for his magnificent performances in captaining Real Madrid to glory in La Liga and the Champions League last season.
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1998 and 2018
How they qualified: Finished first in European qualifying Group D
GROUP FIXTURES
Nov 22: v Australia
Nov 26: v Denmark
Nov 30: v Tunisia
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola, Steve Mandanda
Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano
Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Jordan Veretout, Eduardo Camavinga
Forwards: Kingsley Coman, Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, Christophe Nkunku
TUNISIA (FIFA RANKING: 30TH)
Jalel Kadri faces a tough task steering the Tunisians to the last 16COACH
The enormity of the task facing Jalel Kadri was laid bare a month ago in Paris when Brazil trounced Tunisia 5-1 in a warm-up match. He has been in charge since March after being promoted from an assistant role. In 20 years as a club coach, Kadri has worked in Tunisia, Libya, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The versatile Youssef Msakni has a wealth of experience with the national side KEY PLAYER
Youssef Msakni has been the mainstay of the Tunisian national team for more than a decade and will be desperate to impress in Qatar. His versatility enables him to play in his preferred position of winger, but also as a central striker, a midfielder and a left-back.
Best World Cup performance: First round in five appearances
How they qualified: Defeated Mali in a play-off
GROUP FIXTURES
Nov 22: v Denmark
Nov 26: v Australia
Nov 30: v France
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mouez Hassen, Aymen Dahmen, Bechir Ben Said, Aymen Mathlouthi
Defenders: Bilel Ifa, Montassar Talbi, Yassine Meriah, Nader Ghandri, Dylan Bronn, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Drager, Wajdi Kechrida, Ali Abdi
Midfielders: Hannibal Mejbri, Ferjani Sassi, Aissa Laidouni, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ellyes Skhiri, Ghailene Chaalali, Anis Ben Slimane
Forwards: Youssef Msakni, Issam Jebali, Wahbi Khazri, Taha Yassine Khenissi, Seifeddine Jaziri, Naim Sliti