A high-stakes clash worth 2.5 billion euros! France and Germany could face off in the round of 16, as their potential first knockout opponents emerge.

In the final match of Group I at the World Cup, which ended on June 27 Beijing time, France beat Norway 4-1, securing the top position with a perfect group-stage record. With France landing in first place in Group I, they are now confirmed to be in the same round-of-16 section as Germany, which means a potential round-of-16 showdown between them. Between these two favorites to win the tournament, only one can reach the quarterfinals.

Historically, France and Germany have faced each other four times in the World Cup, all in the knockout stages. France won the third-place match in 1958, while Germany eliminated France in the semifinals of 1982 and 1986, as well as in the quarterfinals of 2014.

Currently, the total market value of the French squad is 1.52 billion euros, the highest among all 48 participating teams. Germany's squad is valued at 947 million euros, ranking fifth. This potential matchup, with a combined value of nearly 2.5 billion euros, is sure to attract unprecedented attention.

Of course, for both teams to meet, they must first get past their first knockout opponents. Their round-of-16 opponents are almost certain: with 31 possible scenarios for third-place finishers advancing, France has a 30-out-of-31 chance of facing Sweden, while Germany has a 29-out-of-31 chance of facing Paraguay.

Additionally, because France secured the top spot and entered the upper half of the bracket, they are in a different half from Argentina, who also topped their group. The two teams could only meet in the final. In the last World Cup final, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to win the championship. Whether the two teams can meet in the final for a second consecutive World Cup remains to be seen.