the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I matches will take place from 16 to 26 June. France is the most prominent player in Group I, as it is considered not only the group favourite but also one of the contenders to win the whole tournament. Senegal and Norway will provide stiff competition for the French, while Iraq, which is taking part in the World Cup for the second time in its history, is considered an outsider.
In this article you will find the full schedule, team previews and bookmaker odds.
Key points to know
- France is the group favourite with odds of 1.44 for first place.
- Iraq last participated in the World Cup in 1986 and Norway in 1998.
- The odds for France and Norway to take the first two places are 2.35.
- France has won the World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2018.
- The main players to watch are K. Mbappe, A. Hussein, S. Mane, E. Haaland.
- In the qualifiers, Norway won all 8 matches, scored 37 goals and conceded only 5.
Group I teams and schedule
Group I is one of the most intriguing groups. Although Iraq is the clear outsider, the remaining three teams should make for a very competitive and interesting match. France is the clear favourite, but both Senegal and Norway could cause problems. Each team has a unique individual talent that can decide the outcome of the match.
There is a chance that as many as three teams in the group will reach the next round. This would require Iraq to lose all its matches. At least one draw is likely between Senegal, Norway and France, so four points could be enough for the third-placed team to reach the Round of 32.
Bookmakers' odds to win the group or finish in the TOP 2:
| Team | Win the group | TOP 2 |
|---|---|---|
| France | 1,44 | 1,05 |
| Norway | 3,78 | 1,45 |
| Senegal | 8,10 | 2,30 |
| Iraq | 46,00 | 20,00 |
Five group matches will be played in the USA – East Rutherford, Foxborough and Philadelphia. The only Senegal v Iraq match will be played in Toronto. See below for the full schedule (times in Lithuanian time, GMT+3 in summer).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) |
|---|---|
| France – Senegal | 16 June, 22:00 |
| Iraq – Norway | 17 June, 01:00 |
| France – Iraq | 23 June, 00:00 |
| Norway – Senegal | 23 June, 03:00 |
| Norway – France | 26 June, 22:00 |
| Senegal – Iraq | 26 June, 22:00 |
Favourites and outsiders in Group I
France is considered the clear favourite in Group I, but this is one of those groups where surprises can happen. Neither Norway nor Senegal should be written off.
France
France arrive at the World Cup with impressive talent once again. In attack we will see Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. France won the World Cup for the first time in 1998, then played in the final in 2006, triumphed again in 2018 and lost the final in 2022.
With this line-up, it is not surprising that the team is again named among the favourites. For a detailed analysis of the squad line-up, check out the France at the World Cup 2026 review.
Senegal
Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa, and with their best players can not only create problems in the group but also fight for a place in the round of 32. This will be Senegal's fourth appearance at the World Cup.
in 2002, the team managed to reach the quarter-finals, and in the group stage Senegal not only played against France, but also beat them. The then world champions finished last in the group.
Iraq
It can be said right away that Iraq has not had any luck with the group – the gap between it and the other three opponents is very wide. In another group, Iraq could at least try to fight for third place, but Group I looks too strong.
Returning to the World Cup is a great achievement in itself, but positive results are not to be expected here. It would not be surprising if the campaign ended with 0 points. For detailed official tournament information, please visit FIFA's official 2026 tournament page.
Norway
Norway is identified as the team that should provide the strongest competition for France. The national team will be playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, so motivation and concentration should not be lacking.
Norway drew a lot of attention in the World Cup qualifiers, winning all 8 group matches against Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova. Not only Erling Haaland, but also Alexander Sorloth and Martin Odegaard.
Players to watch in Group I
For those who like individual talent, there is no shortage of it in Group I. In the Iraqi squad, Ali Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein and Zidane Iqbal can be mentioned. These are less well-known players, but they should be the focus of their team.
One of the reasons why Group I is attracting a lot of interest is the composition of the French national team. There is certainly no shortage of talent here, so it will be very interesting to see how the team looks on the pitch. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and William Saliba stand out.
Erling Haaland is worth mentioning in the Norwegian squad, along with Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth, Oscar Bobb and Julian Ryerson. The Senegalese team will feature Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolas Jackson.
Highlights of Group I
Group I is one of the most competitive groups. Although France and Norway can be predicted to finish in the top two places, Senegal in third place and Iraq in fourth place, unexpected results are still possible.
The Iraqi team, which will be playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, is the least expected. The team has lost only twice in its last 12 official matches. However, the opponents in the group will be of a much higher level and one of the safest bets is that Iraq will not pick up a single point. The odds for this selection are 1.78.
Norway arrives at the World Cup having won all 8 qualifiers, so it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this form in the tournament. The schedule is favourable for the team, with the first game against Iraq, the second against Senegal and the last against France.
Betting Outlook
France's odds of winning the group are 1.44 – an outright victory offers little value. In the odd match, especially against Iraq, the alternative is an over under bet or France's individual goal total. With Norway's attacking style (averaging over 4.6 goals per game in qualifying), the ‘over' markets in their matches also offer good value.
For a full list of participants with all groups, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Participants article. When choosing a platform for the tournament, it is worth comparing foreign betting companies.
Responsible betting on the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost six weeks and matches are played almost every day. This rhythm increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun. Practical advice is provided by the responsible gambling guide.
Group I FAQs
Which teams are in Group I
France, Norway, Senegal and Iraq are in Group I.
Who are the favourites to win Group I
France. The bookmakers offer odds of 1.44 for her to win the group. France is also considered one of the main contenders to win the whole tournament.
Which teams are predicted to qualify for the next round from Group I
France and Norway. France is the favourite in the group, but Norway can challenge and fight for first place. Both teams are predicted to reach the round of 32, while Senegal also has a chance to continue in the play-offs.
Which is the most important match of Group I
Although the last match of the group will be between Norway and France, the most important duel is considered to be Norway vs Senegal – on 23 June at 03:00 Lithuanian time. It is here that the fate of second place should be decided. After this match, Norway could secure a place in the play-offs and face France without extra pressure.
Which team could be the biggest surprise in Group I
Norway. Although the talent of the French team stands out in the group, Norway could be a pleasant surprise. in the 2026 World Cup, Norway is known as the “Dark Horse” – a team that can go far unexpectedly.
When did Iraq and Norway last participate in the World Cup
Iraq last participated in 1986 – a gap of 40 years. Norway played in 1998 – 28 years without a World Cup. Both teams are returning after very long breaks.
Which cities will host the Group I matches
Five games will be played in the USA – East Rutherford, Foxborough and Philadelphia. The Senegal v Iraq match will be played in Toronto, Canada.
Which bets have the best value in Group I
Bookmakers are offering odds of 1.78 for Iraq to finish the tournament without a single point and 2.35 for France and Norway to finish in the top two places. Looking at the group structure, these are the two safest choices.
