World Cup 2026 Group I Preview: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group I might be the most talented top-3 in the entire tournament. France have title-favorite credentials. Senegal are AFCON-grade physical and athletic. Norway finally have Haaland and Ødegaard at a World Cup together. Iraq are the underdog that punches at every World Cup they make.
The teams at a glance
- France — FIFA #1. 2018 champions, 2022 finalists. France preview.
- Senegal — FIFA #14. 2022 R16, 2021 AFCON champions. Senegal preview.
- Norway — FIFA #31. First World Cup since 1998 with Haaland-Ødegaard.
- Iraq — FIFA #58. First World Cup since 1986.
France: title favorites with the deepest squad
France have the deepest squad in the tournament. Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, William Saliba, Mike Maignan. Didier Deschamps has the luxury of resting starters and still playing a Round of 16-quality XI.
France should win Group I with 7-9 points. The interesting question is whether Deschamps rests Mbappé in the third group match — that could open a door for Senegal or Norway to top the group on goal difference.
Senegal: don't fall asleep on them
Senegal won AFCON 2021. They reached the Round of 16 in 2022 without Sadio Mané. Now they have Mané (still around at 34), Édouard Mendy in goal, Kalidou Koulibaly anchoring defense, Pape Matar Sarr in midfield, and Nicolas Jackson up front. The squad is a real Round-of-16 threat.
Senegal's realistic outcome: 2nd place at 6 points. They'll beat Norway and Iraq, take a close loss to France. In Upset Bonus pools, they're a fascinating dark horse to top the group if France rotate.
Norway: finally a Haaland World Cup
Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard at a World Cup — at last. Norway haven't been to a World Cup since 1998. The squad beyond the two stars is thin (Mohamed Elyounoussi, Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sørloth) but Haaland alone can decide a match. Ødegaard runs everything in midfield.
Realistic outcome: 4 points and a 3rd-place finish. They'll beat Iraq, take a draw or close loss to Senegal, and lose to France. Strong wildcard candidate. Picking them as a wildcard is a high-floor play.
Iraq: the underdog that always brings it
Iraq are at their first World Cup since 1986. The squad is built around Iraq Stars League and Saudi Pro League pros. Aymen Hussein leads the line. Sherko Karim and Bashar Resan run midfield. They play organized, hard-fought football and won't embarrass themselves.
Realistic outcome: 1 point, 4th place. The fanbase will be loud and the players will be motivated. Don't pick them to advance, but don't expect a 3-0 loss either.
Predictions
- 1st: France — squad depth and Mbappé.
- 2nd: Senegal — most underrated 2nd-place pick in the tournament.
- 3rd: Norway — Haaland keeps them in wildcard contention.
- 4th: Iraq — competitive but lacking the goals.
Bracket strategy for Group I
- France 1st is chalk.The interesting move is knockout-stage — they're a real title pick.
- Senegal 2nd over Norway is the smart pick.Most casual fillers will pick Norway because of Haaland. Senegal's team-wide quality is materially higher.
- Norway is one of the better wildcard plays. Haaland tilts the goal-difference math.
Make your Group I picks
Lock your group standings and wildcard picks before the first kickoff on June 11.