Denmark will aim to emulate their emotionally charged run to the Euro 2020 semifinals in Qatar, minus the drama of Christian Eriksen’s horrifying collapse.
The Manchester United midfielder has made a startling recovery following his cardiac arrest on the pitch during that tournament, that forced him to step away from the game.
He has, thankfully, returned and has become a fixture in the Premier League once again. Eriksen will function as the Danes’ creative engine at his fifth major tournament.
A dominant qualifying campaign and two recent victories over defending world champions France demonstrates the potential of Kasper Hjulmand’s side, bringing a core of established talent in the mature end of their primes to the Middle East.
If they pick up momentum in the group stages, another brave Danish charge into the latter rounds could be on the cards.
Christian Eriksen is in Denmark’s squad for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
Fantastic to see him back 👏🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/9xaku5rHLg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 15, 2022
MORE: Breaking down Denmark’s Group D opponents Australia, Tunisia and France
Projected Denmark World Cup squad 2022
Hjulmand had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which he will select a final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14.
Based on World Cup qualifying squads and friendly rosters over the past year, these are the names most likely to be on his preliminary list.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Kasper Schmeichel | Nice (FRA) | 35 | 86 |
| Goalkeeper | Frederick Ronnow | Union Berlin (GER) | 30 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper | Oliver Christensen | Hertha Berlin (GER) | 23 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | Peter Vindal Jensen | AZ Alkmaar (NED) | 24 | 0 |
| Defender | Andreas Christensen | Barcelona (SPA) | 26 | 58 |
| Defender | Simon Kjaer | AC Milan (ITA) | 33 | 121 |
| Defender | Jens Larsen | Trabzonspor | 31 | 49 |
| Defender | Jannik Vestergaard | Leicester City (ENG) | 30 | 35 |
| Defender | Alexander Bah | Benfica (POR) | 24 | 4 |
| Defender | Joakim Maehle | Atalanta (ITA) | 25 | 31 |
| Defender | Joachim Andersen | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 26 | 19 |
| Defender | Victor Nelsson | Galatasaray (TUR) | 24 | 7 |
| Defender | Rasmus Kristensen | Leeds United (ENG) | 25 | 10 |
| Defender | Nicolai Boilesen | Copenhagen (DEN) | 30 | 22 |
| Midfielder | Philip Billing | Bournemouth (ENG) | 26 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Christian Norgaard | Brentford (ENG) | 28 | 17 |
| Midfielder | Thomas Delaney | Sevilla (SPA) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Christian Eriksen | Manchester United (ENG) | 30 | 117 |
| Midfielder | Daniel Wass | Brondby (DEN) | 33 | 44 |
| Midfielder | Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg | Tottenham (ENG) | 27 | 60 |
| Midfielder | Mathias Jensen | Brentford (ENG) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Morten Hjulmand | Lecce (ITA) | 23 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Mikkel Damsgaard | Brentford (ENG) | 22 | 18 |
| Midfielder | Jesper Lindstrom | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 22 | 6 |
| Midfielder | Casper Nielsen | Club Brugge (BEL) | 28 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Jens Stage | Werder Bremen (GER) | 25 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Jens Jonsson | AEK Athens (GRE) | 29 | 5 |
| Forward | Robert Skov | Hoffenheim (GER) | 26 | 11 |
| Forward | Jonas Wind | Wolfsburg (GER) | 23 | 15 |
| Forward | Jacob Bruun Larsen | Hoffenheim (GER) | 24 | 6 |
| Forward | Andreas Cornelius | Copenhagen (DEN) | 29 | 41 |
| Forward | Rasmus Hojlund | Atlanta (ITA) | 19 | 2 |
| Forward | Andreas Olsen | Club Brugge (BEL) | 22 | 23 |
| Forward | Pione Sisto | Midtjylland (DEN) | 27 | 26 |
| Forward | Yussuf Poulsen | RB Leipzig (GER) | 28 | 68 |
| Forward | Martin Braithwaite | Espanyol (SPA) | 31 | 62 |
| Forward | Kasper Dolberg | Sevilla (SPA) | 25 | 37 |
Final 26-man Denmark World Cup roster
Denmark are not scheduled to play again before the World Cup kicks off, so Hjulmand will likely already know his preferred starting lineup.
Here’s a projected look at a plausible 26-man roster, assuming all these players are fit and ready.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Kasper Schmeichel | Nice (FRA) | 35 | 86 |
| Goalkeeper | Frederick Ronnow | Union Berlin (GER) | 30 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper | Oliver Christensen | Hertha Berlin (GER) | 23 | 1 |
| Defender | Andreas Christensen | Barcelona (SPA) | 26 | 58 |
| Defender | Simon Kjaer | AC Milan (ITA) | 33 | 121 |
| Defender | Jens Larsen | Trabzonspor | 31 | 49 |
| Defender | Jannik Vestergaard | Leicester City (ENG) | 30 | 35 |
| Defender | Joachim Andersen | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 26 | 19 |
| Defender | Victor Nelsson | Galatasaray (TUR) | 24 | 7 |
| Defender | Rasmus Kristensen | Leeds United (ENG) | 25 | 10 |
| Defender | Joakim Maehle | Atalanta (ITA) | 25 | 31 |
| Midfielder | Christian Norgaard | Brentford (ENG) | 28 | 17 |
| Midfielder | Thomas Delaney | Sevilla (SPA) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Christian Eriksen | Manchester United (ENG) | 30 | 117 |
| Midfielder | Casper Nielsen | Club Brugge (BEL) | 28 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg | Tottenham (ENG) | 27 | 60 |
| Midfielder | Mathias Jensen | Brentford (ENG) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Mikkel Damsgaard | Brentford (ENG) | 22 | 18 |
| Midfielder | Jesper Lindstrom | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 22 | 6 |
| Forward | Robert Skov | Hoffenheim (GER) | 26 | 11 |
| Forward | Jonas Wind | Wolfsburg (GER) | 23 | 15 |
| Forward | Andreas Cornelius | Copenhagen (DEN) | 29 | 41 |
| Forward | Rasmus Hojlund | Atlanta (ITA) | 19 | 2 |
| Forward | Andreas Olsen | Club Brugge (BEL) | 22 | 23 |
| Forward | Martin Braithwaite | Espanyol (SPA) | 31 | 62 |
| Forward | Kasper Dolberg | Sevilla (SPA) | 25 | 37 |
Denmark best player, strengths & weaknesses
A narrow 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the Euro 2020 semifinal was all that separated Denmark from an against-all-odds bid for the title last year.
A team with a sturdy back line who are comfortable in possession and capable of launching thunderbolt counter-attacks at any moment, they should be even better equipped in Qatar.
The added impetus of a fit and healthy Eriksen could make a significant difference this year. All the leading contenders will be wary of Denmark.
Stars
Denmark’s battle hardened, close-knit core of talent operating down the spine of their team will be the backbone of any success at this World Cup.
Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer, Eriksen and Martin Brathwaite are all into their early 30s, offering tournament know-how and leadership to a young and exciting attack.
Kasper Dolberg is expected to be Denmark’s key goal threat, but a steady start to his season with Sevilla could see Brathwaite or the ever reliable Yussuf Poulsen get the nod. However, the latter is a real doubt to make the final cut after struggling for playing time at RB Leipzig this season.
Strengths
The Danish backline conceded just three goals throughout their World Cup qualification campaign. Andreas Christensen and Kjaer were heroes of their Euro 2020 campaign, while Jannick Verstergaard and Joachim Andersen are also excellent options.
It’s a wonderfully balanced team, with 22-year-old wingers Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Olsen dangerous elements in attack, while the likes of Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg steady the ship in midfield.
Weaknesses
Hjulmand’s team are full of spirit, have a well-oiled system and possess plenty of talent. Regardless, they’ll still be considered underdogs against the likes of Brazil, England, Germany and Portugal.
Do they have the resilience to withstand Messi or Ronaldo? Can they overpower Thiago Silva or Antonio Rudiger?
Denmark World Cup group
Eriksen and his teammates will be licking their lips at the sight of Group D. Back-to-back victories over France in the UEFA Nations League will strike fear into Didier Deschamps’ side, who will be desperate to avoid another shock exit as they suffered in Euro 2020.
Though not to be underestimated, the Danes should have enough firepower to overcome Tunisia and Australia.
Denmark Group D fixtures and match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Denmark vs. Tunisia | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | France vs. Denmark | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Australia vs. Denmark | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
Can Denmark replace players on World Cup roster?
Once the final 26-man roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup can only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.
According to the official tournament rules, “a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team’s first match.”
The team in question would need to submit a medical report to FIFA and if the world governing body determines “the injury or illness is sufficiently serious to prevent the player from taking part in the FIFA World Cup” then the replacement will be allowed.
The replacement player must come from the preliminary list of players submitted to FIFA in October.