World Cup 2026 Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Group I of the 2026 World Cup is arguably the most emotionally loaded section of the entire draw. It brings together a superpower, France, reigning runners-up and eternal contenders; an African giant in its prime, Senegal; and two nations returning to the global stage after decades away: Norway, back after 28 years with the Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard generation, and Iraq, ending a 40-year absence. It is a group of clear favourites and goosebump-inducing stories, and in this breakdown we go team by team before inviting you to recreate it yourself on our football simulator.

The Four Teams of Group I

• France (UEFA): 2022 World Cup runners-up and 2018 champions, led by Didier Deschamps in his final major tournament. With Kylian Mbappé and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé up front, they are the clear group favourites.
• Senegal (CAF): African champions and the continent's flagbearer, coached by Pape Thiaw. They blend experience (Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy) with young Premier League talent.
• Iraq (AFC): a historic return to the World Cup after a 40-year absence, with Graham Arnold in charge. A gritty outsider that qualified by beating Bolivia in the play-off.
• Norway (UEFA): back at a World Cup after 28 years, managed by Ståle Solbakken. For the first time Haaland and Ødegaard will play the biggest stage, after a perfect qualifying group campaign.

The Schedule: Three June Matchdays

Group I is spread across the eastern United States and Canada, with venues in New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. Three matchdays packed into eleven days of June that will decide who joins France in the round of 16.

• Matchday 1 (June 16): France vs Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey; Iraq vs Norway at Gillette Stadium in Boston (Foxborough).
• Matchday 2 (June 22): France vs Iraq in Philadelphia; Norway vs Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
• Matchday 3 (June 26): Norway vs France at Gillette Stadium in Boston; Senegal vs Iraq in Toronto.

France: The Absolute Favourites in Deschamps' Farewell

France arrive as the heavy favourites not only of the group, but of the entire tournament. Didier Deschamps faces his final World Cup at the helm of Les Bleus with a colossal squad: Kylian Mbappé as captain and attacking reference, alongside Ousmane Dembélé, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner, in a forward line that also features Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Marcus Thuram. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni anchors a unit blending the experience of N'Golo Kanté and Adrien Rabiot with the youth of Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manu Koné. At the back, the solidity of William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano offers guarantees. This is a side with no obvious weaknesses, a luxury bench and the added motivation of sending Deschamps off with a third star. On the football simulator, France start as the machine to beat.

Norway: The Dream Return of Haaland and Ødegaard

Perhaps the most beautiful story of the group. Norway return to a World Cup after 28 years, since France 1998, and they do so with the most talented generation in their history. Ståle Solbakken delivered a flawless qualifying campaign, winning every match ahead of none other than Italy. The engine is Erling Haaland, the Premier League's top scorer with Manchester City and author of 16 goals in just eight qualifying matches, a devastating tally. Beside him, captain Martin Ødegaard provides the tempo, the magic and the assists from Arsenal. It is the first time both stars set foot on the biggest stage, and the hunger shows. Norway are not here for a stroll: they are here to fight for second place and, if Haaland fires, to trouble anyone.

Senegal: The African Contender That Doesn't Hide

Senegal are, alongside Norway, the main candidates to escort France through. The Lions of Teranga arrive as African champions and with the label of the continent's best side. Pape Thiaw, who took over from Aliou Cissé, has consolidated a group that combines pedigree and future. Sadio Mané, at 34 and the country's all-time top scorer, remains the face of the team, supported by veterans like Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Fresh blood comes from Premier League footballers such as Pape Matar Sarr, Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diarra and Iliman Ndiaye, plus young prospects Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG) and Bara Ndiaye (Bayern). Physicality, talent and a winning mentality: Senegal can spring a surprise.

Iraq: The Outsider Returning After 40 Years

Iraq's story is deeply moving. The Lions of Mesopotamia return to a World Cup four decades after Mexico 1986, their only previous appearance, where they lost all three games. The road here has been brutal on and off the pitch, which is why this qualification, sealed with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in the play-off, is worth double. Australian Graham Arnold leads a squad mixing veterans and youth: forward Aymen Hussein, midfielder Amir Al-Ammari, young creative gem Ali Jasim, captain Jalal Hassan in goal and Ali Al-Hamadi, who sharpened up on loan at England's Luton Town and scored in the play-off. Iraq are the clear dark horse of the group, but their motto says it all: 'we are fighters'. Any point would be historic.

Favourites and Prediction

Following an Opta-style statistical approach, Group I has a crystal-clear favourite and a tight fight behind. France take around a 92% chance of advancing and a 70% chance of finishing top of the group, thanks to their squad superiority. The second ticket is contested by Senegal and Norway almost neck and neck: Senegal sit at roughly 58% to advance and Norway at 54%, with the Norwegians slightly lower only due to their lesser World Cup experience, though Haaland's firepower can tip the scales. Each retains between 12% and 15% of stealing top spot from France should Les Bleus stumble. Iraq start as the outsiders with around a 14% chance of advancing; their mission is to compete, gather points and, with luck, pull off the upset of the tournament.

"A group with an iron-clad favourite and two redemption stories: Norway and Haaland return after 28 years, Iraq after 40. Behind France, everything is still to be written."

Simulate Group I of the 2026 World Cup

What if Haaland overwhelms France? What if Senegal and Iraq spring a surprise? With the Fut Simulator Pro football simulator you don't have to wait for the final whistle: you can recreate every Group I match as many times as you like. Our football simulator calculates results, goalscorers and the live table so you can uncover every possible outcome. It's the most fun way to test your predictions and live the 2026 World Cup with a football simulator built for those who love the detail.

• Simulate France vs Senegal and see whether Ballon d'Or winner Dembélé and Mbappé stop the Lions of Teranga.
• Recreate Iraq vs Norway and measure if Haaland and Ødegaard open with a rout on their grand return.
• Adjust the line-ups and tactics of all four teams and watch how the qualification odds change.
• Play all three matchdays in full and generate your own final Group I table to predict who joins France.

"The ball isn't rolling yet, but on the Fut Simulator Pro football simulator, Group I of the 2026 World Cup is already in play. You decide the story."