World Cup 2026 – Group I guide: France, Norway and dangerous Senegal...is this our 'Group of Death'?
Laura Ríos
— · 7 min read
If you love World Cup memories, look no further than Group I. Senegal's victory over France in the 2002 World Cup is an iconic turning point and one of the tournament's biggest upsets. A rematch after 24 years is one of the group matches. But what makes Group I a major blockbuster is the Norwegians, who in the 48-team World Cup can still be seen as the tournament's Group of Death. Norway are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and have a superstar alongside Erling Haaland who can take the very young generation to new heights. France, champions in 2018 and 2022, have appeared in the last two finals, with a formidable attack featuring Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Senegal's golden generation have technically won two of the last three African Cups; While this is not a consensus, the prowess and prowess of the Lions of Terengganu cannot be ignored.
Group I Fixtures (All Times BST) June 16, 8pm: France 3-1 Senegal, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey June 16, 11pm: Iraq 1-4 Norway, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro June 22, 10pm: France 3-0 Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 23, 1am: Norway 3-2 Senegal, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey June 26, 8pm: Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro June 26, 11pm: Iraq vs. Senegal, BMO Field, Toronto
France What does the firepower of France mean? Because oh la la this Les Blues squad has a lot going for it. But let's not get too carried away, France scored just four goals at Euro 2024 and only one of them was from open play, in a 2-1 semi-final against champions Spain. Kylian Mbappe was sidelined with a broken nose, and Didier Deschamps' technique was deemed too narrow and restricted. It will be the last time Deschamps will coach France, who won the 2018 World Cup and reached the final in a row. How do they get the balance right this time? There is an arrangement in France after Euro 2024, thanks to the success of Paris Saint-Germain. Ousmane Dembele's development to score the Ballon d'Or winner added another dimension. Then Dejire Douy, Michael Olaise, Ryan Cherky...techniques, dribbling, style. To be fair, France can be extremely confrontational. Deschamps will be without the retired Antoine Griezmann, who was prominent in the last World Cup with his prolific work. N'Golo Kante, 35, will have to hold the midfield together as well as Orléans Tchumeni, who has the notable presence of Real Madrid teammate Eduardo Kamavinga, which could leave France somewhat light in the middle. If Deschamps doesn't get his formula right, it could be a decision that backfires.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Mike Migan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Ren). Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kund (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich). Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbache), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Orléans Tachoumeni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain). Forwards: Magnus Akhliuch (Monaco), Bradley Barkola (Paris Saint-Germain), Ryan Cherky (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Dejire Douy (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olaise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram. (Inter Milan). Star Player: Kylian Mbappe. Aged just 27, and with 12 goals in 14 appearances, Mbappe will be motivated to return to the tournament that has defined his career so far. Although his last two seasons at Real Madrid have not been easy, his goalscoring rate has improved, he feels he has a lot to prove this summer. Breakout Talent: Desiree Douy. The winger was playing at the Under-19 Euros two years ago when France reached the semi-finals at Euro 2024. Now he is likely to be part of a star studded attack. FIFA RANKING: 1. Odds to win World Cup: 5/1, via best betting sites.
Senegal Although the violence in Rabat is still not resolved, there remains an upheaval on the ground in Senegal. Senegal made their mark by winning their second African Cup in four years, but the decision to overturn the final result and crown Morocco as champions set up unfinished business for the Lions of Terengganu. We have an experienced, stable squad with a number of new talents, such as Everton's Iliman Ndiye, Crystal Palace's Ismailia Sar, and Sunderland's Habib Diarra. Last year, Senegal became the first African team to beat England 3-1.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahly), Yehwan Diouf (Nice), Mori Dia (Lehavre). Defenders: Crepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Sack (Maccabi Hafa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ile Kamara (Anderlecht), Moussa Nyakhate (Lyon), Mammoud Saar (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malik Diouf (West Ham United), Mustafa Mbo (Paris FC), Ismail Jacobus (Galatsarai). Midfielders: Idrissa Guay (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sar (Tottenham), Pape Guay (Villarreal), Lamin Kamara (Monaco), Pathe Sis (Rayo Valcano), Bara Nadia (Bayern Munich). Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nasser), Bamba Deyang (Lorient), Iliman Nadia (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Asean Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Cherif Nadia (Samsungspor), Ismailia Saar (Crystal Palace). Star Player: Sadio Mane. He was praised for his leadership when he persuaded Senegal to return to the pitch during the African Cup final. Mane again decided to play in the FIFA World Cup. Breakout Talent: Mamdo Saar. The 20-year-old centre-back replaced Kalidou Koulibaly during the African Cup final, but was outstanding and is the future of Senegal's defence. FIFA Ranking: 14. Odds to win the World Cup: 150/1.
Norway Norway's all-black away kit sends a hidden message ahead of the World Cup. According to Nike's manufacturer, the all-black look is "inspired by Viking warriors, reflecting the fearless spirit of Norway". That may be true, but another explanation is that Norway are dark horses for this World Cup. It will be their first World Cup in 28 years, but with a striker like Erling Haaland, can't Norway be put in that category? Holland scored 55 goals in 49 games and scored 16 goals.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Orjen Haskejold Nyland (Seville), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburg). Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Markus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolff (Wolves), Frederik Bijkan (Bodo/Glimt), Christopher Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heigm (Bologna), Leo Skerry Ostigård (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby), Henrik Falchener. (Viking). Midfielders: Martin Odgaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Oursnes (Benfica), Patrik Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Christian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morton Thoresby (Cremonas), Thelo Asgaard (Rangers). Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorlath (Atletico Madrid), Jørgen Strand Larsson (Crystal Palace), Antonio Noosa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bob (Fulham), Andreas Scheldrup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hogg (Bodo/Glimt). Star Player: Erling Holland. Expectations will be high as the 25-year-old striker prepares for his World Cup debut. His goal scoring ability is dangerous. Breakout Talent: Antonio Noosa. The 21-year-old winger is attracting interest from a number of clubs in Europe. FIFA Ranking: 31. Impact of winning the World Cup: 33/1.
Iraq Iraq qualified for the World Cup, defeating Bolivia, for the first time in 40 years. The challenge for Australia coach Graham Arnold is to achieve the same in the 2022 World Cup.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib (Al Talba), Jalal Hassan (Al Jawara), Ahmed Basil (Al Shorta). Defenders: Hussain Ali (Pogon Shezeen), Manaf Younis (Al Shorta), Ahmed Yahya (Al Shorta), Mustafa Sadoon (Al Shorta), Zayed Tahseen (Pectacore), Rabin Sulaka (Port), Akam Hashim (Al Jawara), Merchas Doski (Victoria Plzen), Zayed Ismail (Al Talba), France Pouteros. (Perceptible). Midfielders: Amir Al-Amri (Krakow), Kevin Yacob (Aarhus GF), Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht), Aymer Sher (Sarpsborg), Ibrahim Bais (Al Dhafra), Ahmed Kassam (Nashville), Youssef Amin (AK Larnaca), Marco Farji (Venezia). Forwards: Ali Jassim (Al Najma), Ali Al-Hamadi (Luton), Ali Youssef (Al Talba), Ayman Hussain (Al Karma), Mohanad Ali (Dibbah). Star Player: Ali Al-Hamadi. He is the first Iraqi player to play in the Premier League. Breakout Talent: Zidane Iqbal. The former Manchester United academy graduate now plays for Dutch side Utrecht. FIFA Ranking: 57. World Cup Winning Effects: 2000/1.
Group I Prediction: France will top the group, but will lose one match. Norway will score at least one goal in each match and will battle with Senegal for second place.
