FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I Preview: France Lead Star-Studded Battle With Senegal, Norway

Last Updated:June 09, 2026, 20:17 IST

France lead a star-studded Group I at FIFA World Cup 2026, with Senegal, Norway and Iraq all set to battle in one of the most difficult groups.

Group I World Cup teams: 2018 FIFA World Cup winners France and 2002 quarter-finalists Senegal headline Group I of the upcoming tournament, with Iraq and Norway completing the lineup. On paper, the group appears straightforward for France, though the presence of strong challengers ensures it is far from a guaranteed path.

Group I is viewed as one of the most difficult and most star-studded groups at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Featuring global talents such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Sadio Mané, the group is expected to deliver high-intensity, top-quality encounters.

France start as favourites, but both Senegal and Norway possess enough attacking quality to pose serious threats, while Iraq add underdog resilience to an already compelling group.

FRANCE

France are currently the top-ranked team in the world and have come into the tournament after winning Group D of the qualifiers. Regarded as one of the best footballers in the world, Mbappé already has a FIFA World Cup winner’s medal, having helped France to glory in 2018 as a teenager.

Meanwhile, Aurélien Tchouaméni rose through Bordeaux and made his breakthrough at Monaco before earning a move to Real Madrid, where he now plays alongside Mbappé. The duo will be crucial to France’s chances at the FIFA World Cup.

France will be making their 17th FIFA World Cup appearance. Les Bleus have lifted the trophy twice, first in 1998 as hosts and again in 2018 in Russia.

SENEGAL WORLD CUP 2026

Senegal are ranked 14th in the world and can challenge a big team like France. They qualified after becoming Group B winners in the Confederation of African Nations qualifiers.

The face of Senegal for over a decade, Sadio Mané remains the country’s undisputed leader and attacking focal point. Meanwhile, with over 100 international caps, Kalidou Koulibaly is a defensive mainstay for the Lions of Teranga, backed by a distinguished club career that has included spells at Napoli and Chelsea.

Senegal will be making their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance. Their most memorable campaign came on their debut in 2002, when they produced a famous upset over France en route to a historic quarter-final run. Can they do an encore?

IRAQ

Iraq are ranked 57th in the world and will be the underdog of the group.

Iraq’s leading striker Aymen Hussein has delivered brilliant numbers at club level throughout his career. He is also the country’s second-highest all-time goalscorer, with 32 goals in 90 senior international appearances.

Alongside Hussein, Mohanad Ali is one of Iraq’s most dangerous attacking threats and plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates with Dibba Al Fujairah. At international level, he has scored 26 goals in 69 appearances for Iraq.

Iraq will be making only their second FIFA World Cup appearance and their first since 1986. Riding the momentum of a historic qualification and embracing their underdog tag, the Lions of Mesopotamia will be aiming for a surprise ‘Cinderella’ run at this summer’s tournament.

NORWAY

Norway are ranked 31st in the world and are a valid challenger to France and Senegal. They qualified after being Group I winners in the qualifiers.

One of the most feared strikers in world football, Haaland heads into his first FIFA World Cup in the midst of a dominant spell with Manchester City. He has scored an extraordinary 55 goals in 49 appearances.

Martin Ødegaard, Norway’s skipper and creative hub, is regarded as one of the most intelligent and composed playmakers in world football.

Norway will be making their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance and their first since 1998. They have reached the Round of 16 twice in their history, in 1938 and 1998. With their current crop of elite attacking talent, a deep run beyond the group stage can’t be ruled out.

FIFA World Cup Group I Full Schedule

June 17: France vs Senegal, New York New Jersey Stadium (East Rutherford, USA), 12:30 am IST

June 17: Iraq vs Norway, Boston Stadium (Foxborough), 3:30 am IST

June 23: France vs Iraq, Philadelphia Stadium (Philadelphia), 2:30 am IST

June 23: Norway vs Senegal, New York New Jersey Stadium, 5:30 am IST

June 27: Norway vs France, Boston Stadium, 12:30 am IST

June 27: Senegal vs Iraq, Toronto Stadium (Toronto), 12:30 am IST

News sports football FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I Preview: France Lead Star-Studded Battle With Senegal, Norway

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