The expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams has opened the door for nations from every corner of the globe to dream bigger than ever before, creating groups packed with contrasting styles, star power and genuine unpredictability.
Group I features one of the tournament favourites in France, a European side led by arguably the most prolific striker of his generation, an African powerhouse and a team regarded as one of Asia’s most improved national sides in recent years.
Find out what MrFixitsTips has to say about Group I of the 2026 World Cup, including predictions, tactics and odds.
How does the qualification and elimination process work in Group I of the 2026 World Cup?
The format for Group I follows the same structure as every other group at the 2026 World Cup. Each nation will play three matches, with the top two sides automatically progressing to the knockout stages.
Teams will be separated first by points earned across their group matches before goal difference and goals scored come into play if sides finish level on points.
With the tournament now expanded to 48 teams, finishing third may no longer spell elimination either, as the eight best third-placed teams across all groups will also secure a place in the round of 32.
Which teams are in Group I of the 2026 World Cup?
France
Current FIFA ranking: 1
Having reached the final in each of the last two World Cups, France head into the 2026 tournament as one of the leading contenders to lift the trophy once again.
With world-class quality across every area of the pitch, Les Bleus possess arguably the deepest squad in the competition.
Key player
Kylian Mbappe remains France’s headline act, and the Real Madrid superstar can further his international legacy in this tournament.
A World Cup winner at 19 and hat-trick scorer in the 2022 final, Mbappe already has 56 international goals — just one behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time France record.
Manager and tactics
Usually set up in a 4-2-3-1 system, under Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus combine defensive balance with devastating attacking quality, allowing their abundance of creative stars to flourish in transition and in possession alike.
Norway
Current FIFA ranking: 31
Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Norway arrive in North America carrying significant momentum after an outstanding qualifying campaign.
Stale Solbakken’s side have developed into one of Europe’s most dangerous emerging teams and will firmly believe they can progress from Group I.
Key player
Much of Norway’s confidence comes from Erling Haaland, who enters his first major international tournament after another prolific campaign with Manchester City.
Supported by the creativity of Martin Odegaard and the physical presence of Alexander Sorloth, Norway possess enough attacking quality to trouble any defence in the competition.
Manager and tactics
Stale Solbakken generally deploys a 4-3-3 formation that can shift into a 4-2-3-1 when required. Norway are compact and difficult to break down without the ball but remain brave in possession against stronger opponents.
Odegaard operates as the creative hub, while Sander Berge provides control in midfield and Haaland remains the focal point in attack.
Senegal
Current FIFA ranking: 14
Senegal arrive at the World Cup looking to progress beyond the group stage once again, having reached the round of 16 in the previous edition.
One of Africa’s most consistent sides over the last decade, the Lions of Teranga will believe they have the quality and experience to compete for a knockout stage place in what appears to be one of the tournament’s toughest groups.
Key player
Sadio Mane remains the face of the national team and is their all-time leading scorer with 53 international goals.
The Al-Nassr forward silenced any doubts about his longevity after a superb AFCON 2025 campaign where he claimed the MVP award.
Manager and tactics
Pape Thiaw has built a physically dominant and tactically disciplined side that usually lines up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Senegal rely heavily on intense pressing, athletic defending and quick transitions through wide areas. Idrissa Gana Gueye anchors the midfield, while Mane dictates the rhythm and attacking tempo in the final third.
Iraq
Current FIFA ranking: 57
Iraq will compete at only their second World Cup and their first since 1986, making qualification itself a major achievement for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Drawn alongside three highly rated nations, expectations remain modest, but Iraq will hope to frustrate opponents and possibly spring a surprise.
Key player
One of Iraq’s brightest emerging talents is Ali Jasim, who starred during Iraq’s AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign in 2024, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer while playing a key role in securing Olympic qualification.
Manager and tactics
Under Graham Arnold, Iraq are expected to operate in a compact 4-4-2 system focused on defensive organisation.
The team will look to stay narrow, protect central areas and break quickly through players such as Ali Al-Hamadi, Zidane Iqbal and Ali Jasim when possession is regained.
2026 World Cup Group I winner and qualification predictions
Group I winner odds
- France (2/5)
- Norway (11/4)
- Senegal (7/1)
- Iraq (50/1)
Group I qualification odds
- France (1/100)
- Norway (1/8)
- Senegal (2/5)
- Iraq (3/1)
To finish bottom of Group I
- Iraq (2/7)
- Senegal (4/1)
- Norway (8/1)
- France (33/1)
Group I straight forecast (1st and 2nd)
- 1st France, 2nd Norway (11/8)
- 1st France, 2nd Senegal (11/4)
- 1st Norway, 2nd France (4/1)
- 1st Senegal, 2nd France (9/1)
- 1st France, 2nd Iraq (12/1)
- 1st Norway, 2nd Senegal (12/1)
- 1st Senegal, 2nd Norway (16/1)
Group I dual forecast (top two to qualify)
- France & Norway (8/11)
- France & Senegal (2/1)
- Senegal & Norway (13/2)
- France & Iraq (10/1)
- Iraq & Norway (25/1)
- Senegal & Iraq (66/1)
2026 World Cup Group I fixtures and odds
Matchday 1
France vs Senegal
- France (4/9)
- Draw (17/5)
- Senegal (11/2)
Iraq vs Norway
- Iraq 10/1
- Draw 19/4
- Norway 1/4
Matchday 2
France vs Iraq
- France (TBC)
- Draw (TBC)
- Iraq (TBC)
Norway vs Senegal
- Norway (TBC)
- Draw (TBC)
- Senegal (TBC)
Matchday 3
Norway vs France
- Norway (TBC)
- Draw (TBC)
- France (TBC)
Senegal vs Iraq
- Senegal (TBC)
- Draw (TBC)
- Iraq (TBC)
Note: All odds were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
France are understandably priced as heavy favourites to top Group I at 2/5, with their squad depth, tournament pedigree and attacking firepower making them one of the standout contenders to win the entire competition.
The real battle appears to be for second place, where Norway and Senegal are expected to go head-to-head. Norway’s attacking quality may ultimately give them the edge, although Senegal’s defensive structure and tournament experience could make them extremely difficult opponents.
Iraq head into the group as outsiders, but with the expanded World Cup format offering an additional route into the knockout rounds through the best third-place rankings, every point could prove crucial.
If you are planning to follow the tournament from a betting perspective, then be sure to also check out our guide to the best World Cup betting apps ahead of kickoff.
Predicted finishing order
- France
- Norway
- Senegal
- Iraq
Group I best bets
Group I features one of the tournament favourites in France, but the battle for second place could offer the most betting value throughout the group stage.
Norway to qualify at 1/8 still looks solid given their explosive attacking quality and outstanding recent form, while France & Norway in the dual forecast market at 8/11 could prove to be one of the safer selections in the group.
For punters looking for bigger odds, 1st France, 2nd Norway at 11/8 stands out, though Senegal should not be underestimated either.
That leaves France & Senegal to qualify at 2/1 an appealing option for bettors expecting the African giants to nick a top-two spot.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi is a sports writer with more than four years’ experience covering football and other global sports. A lifelong Arsenal supporter since 2004, he writes with genuine passion and a sharp eye for the stories that shape the game.
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