Team profile
World Cup Group I betting preview & tips
France are favourites to win Group I at the FIFA World Cup, with Didier Deschamps’ side priced at 1.50 to top a section also featuring Norway, Senegal and Iraq.
Les Bleus are expected to qualify for the Round of 32 with international betting sites, but this is one of the more competitive groups of the tournament, with Norway and Senegal both capable of causing problems.
Norway arrive with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading their golden generation, Senegal bring African pedigree and tournament experience, while Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
MORE: World Cup 2026
Norway are the second favourites to win Group I at 3.75 and look the most obvious threat to France. Stale Solbakken’s side won every match in qualifying and have the attacking firepower to make a deep run if Haaland and Odegaard fire.
Senegal are priced at 8.50 to win the group and 1.40 to qualify, making them a serious top-two contender. Pape Thiaw’s side have enough quality to challenge Norway for second place, especially if Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye, who can add dollars to his ongoing contract negotiations, are sharp.
Iraq are outsiders at 34.00 to win Group I and 4.50 to qualify, but former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s side have already made history by reaching the tournament. Their first target will be to compete well and chase a first World Cup point.
Lets take a deep dive into each Group I team’s prospects, including their captains, coaches, past World Cup results, predicted lineups and much more.
Group I Squads
🇫🇷 France
- Manager: Didier Deschamps
- Captain: Kylian Mbappe
- Group I winner odds: 1.50
- Qualify Group I odds: 1.02
France are the class side in Group I and deserve to be favourites, with their mix of young talent and experienced veterans like N’Golo Kanté giving them a great shot at winning the title. Les Bleus have reached the last two World Cup finals, winning the tournament in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022, and their squad remains loaded with elite attacking options. Kylian Mbappe is the obvious headline act, while Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki give Deschamps exceptional depth in the final third. Center-back William Saliba is injured but should be fit for the World Cup after a heavy workload with Arsenal. France’s opener against Senegal carries obvious historical weight after the famous 2002 upset, but this squad should still have too much quality across the group.
- Confederation: UEFA
- Best World Cup: Winners (1998, 2018)
- World Cup qualifications: 17
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: France topped UEFA Group D to qualify for the World Cup.
- Predicted lineup: TBC
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes).
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
🇳🇴 Norway
- Manager: Stale Solbakken
- Captain: Martin Odegaard
- Group I winner odds: 3.75
- Qualify Group I odds: 1.10
Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and arrive with their most exciting team in decades. Haaland gives them one of the most feared goalscorers in world football, while Odegaard provides the creativity and control to make Norway much more than a one-man side. Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb and Jorgen Strand Larsen add further attacking options, giving Solbakken a squad capable of troubling anyone in Group I. The concern for the Lions is whether their back half can hold up, with Torbjorn Heggem battling fitness issues after a strong qualifying campaign, with Borrussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson set to be the key cog. How David Moeller Wolf, Heggem and Moeller Wolfe gel will play a massive role in just how far Norway can push into the World Cup. More disappointment in football would be cruel for this success starved nation, with this clearly their best shot at a good World Cup run in some time. The key match is likely to be Norway v Senegal, with the winner of that contest in a strong position to join France in the knockout stage.
- Confederation: UEFA
- Best World Cup: Round of 16 (1938, 1998)
- World Cup qualifications: Four
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: Norway topped UEFA Group I, winning all eight matches during a dominant qualifying campaign.
- Predicted lineup: TBC
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger).
Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolves), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby), Henrik Falchener (Viking).
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Man City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).
🇸🇳 Senegal
- Manager: Pape Thiaw
- Captain: Sadio Mane
- Group I winner odds: 8.50
- Qualify Group I odds: 1.40
Senegal are the most dangerous third seed in Group I and will believe they can beat Norway to second place. The Lions of Teranga have recent World Cup experience, a strong defensive core and enough attacking talent to hurt France or Norway if either side gives them space. Mane remains the emotional leader, while Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Assane Diao give Senegal pace and goal threat. The Lions of Teranga will be coming up against Le Bleus for a second time in the group stage at the World Cup, after shocking the world by beating them 1-0 in their debut campaign in 2002. This opener against France is a huge test, but the decisive match may come against Norway. If Senegal can win either game, Group I could look very different.
- Confederation: CAF
- Best World Cup: Quarter-finals (2002)
- World Cup qualifications: Four
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: Senegal topped CAF Group B to qualify for the World Cup.
- Predicted lineup: TBC
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre AC), Yehvann Diouf (Nice).
Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor).
🇮🇶 Iraq
- Manager: Graham Arnold
- Captain: TBC
- Group I winner odds: 34.00
- Qualify Group I odds: 4.50
Iraq are the outsiders in Group I, but their return to the World Cup after a 40-year absence is already a major achievement. Arnold’s side reached the tournament through the inter-confederation play-offs and now face a brutal group featuring three teams with far more top-level firepower. Iraq’s opener against Norway will immediately test their defensive structure against Haaland, while matches against France and Senegal will require discipline, resilience and clinical finishing on rare chances. Keys for Iraq include Ali Al-Hamadi and Manchester United’s youth star Zidane Iqbal, but Arnold has opted to leave Dundee United defender Dario Naamo out, despite partaking in the World Cup friendlies that are ongoing in the lead-up. A top-two finish looks unlikely, but a point or a competitive performance would still mark progress for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
- Confederation: AFC
- Best World Cup: Group stage (1986)
- World Cup qualifications: Two (1986, 2026)
- Overall World Cup record: P3 W0 D0 L3 F1 A4
- How they qualified: Iraq qualified as inter-confederation play-off winners.
- Predicted lineup: TBC
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib (Al Talaba), Jalal Hassan (Al Zawraa), Ahmed Basil (Al Shorta).
Defenders: Hussein Ali (Pogon Szczecin), Manaf Younis, Ahmed Yahya, Mustafa Saadoon (Al Shorta), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor), Rebin Sulaka (Port), Akam Hashim (Al Zawraa), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzen), Zaid Ismail (Al Talaba), Frans Putros (Persib).
Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia), Kevin Yakob (Aarhus GF), Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al Dhafra), Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC), Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca), Marko Farji (Venezia).
Forwards: Ali Jassim (Al Najma), Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich), Ali Yousef (Al Talaba), Aymen Hussein (Al Karma), Mohanad Ali (Dibba).
Group I teams, match-ups and betting preview
Teams: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
World Cup Group I Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Senegal | June 16, 2026 | 3pm | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| Iraq vs Norway | June 16, 2026 | 6pm | Boston Stadium |
| France vs Iraq | June 22, 2026 | 5pm | Philadelphia Stadium |
| Norway vs Senegal | June 22, 2026 | 8pm | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| Senegal vs Iraq | June 26, 2026 | 3pm | Toronto Stadium |
| Norway vs France | June 26, 2026 | 3pm | Boston Stadium |
🇫🇷 France v 🇸🇳 Senegal
(A heavyweight opener with major 2002 World Cup history)
France open Group I against the team that stunned them at the 2002 World Cup, giving this match extra edge. Les Bleus have the deeper squad and the stronger attacking weapons, but Senegal are experienced, physical and dangerous in transition. Mbappe, Dembele and Olise can stretch Senegal’s defence, while Mane and Jackson give the Lions of Teranga enough threat to make France uncomfortable. A French win is the obvious prediction, but Senegal are good enough to make this one of the better opening fixtures of the group stage.
🇮🇶 Iraq v 🇳🇴 Norway
(Norway’s golden generation gets its World Cup test)
Norway will see this as a match they have to win if they are going to finish in the top two. Haaland gives them a huge edge in the final third, while Odegaard should control the rhythm against an Iraq side likely to defend deep. Iraq’s best hope is to stay compact, frustrate Norway early and take advantage of any set-piece chances. The problem is obvious: Norway have too much attacking power on paper. A comfortable Norwegian win would put immediate pressure on Senegal before the second round of fixtures.
🇫🇷 France v 🇮🇶 Iraq
(France should have too much depth and attacking class)
This is the match France will expect to win most comfortably. Deschamps may have the option to rotate depending on the result against Senegal, but even a changed French side should have too much quality for Iraq. Les Bleus have enough pace, midfield power and attacking variety to dominate territory and create chances throughout. Iraq will need discipline and resilience to stay in the contest. Their goal may simply be to avoid an early collapse and make France work harder than the odds suggest.
🇳🇴 Norway v 🇸🇳 Senegal
(The likely decider in the race for second place)
This could be the most important match in Group I outside France’s opener. Norway have the attacking firepower, but Senegal have the defensive strength and tournament experience to make this a tight contest. Haaland against Koulibaly and Senegal’s centre-backs is the obvious duel, while Odegaard’s ability to find pockets of space could decide the match. Senegal will try to use pace and direct running to expose Norway in transition. The winner will be in a strong position to reach the Round of 32, while the loser may need help as a third-placed team.
🇸🇳 Senegal v 🇮🇶 Iraq
(Senegal may need goals in the final round)
Senegal will expect to win this match, but the context could be crucial. If the Lions of Teranga are chasing Norway for second or trying to strengthen a third-place qualification case, goal difference may matter. Iraq should be competitive and organised, but Senegal’s pace and attacking options give them a clear edge. Mane’s experience, Jackson’s movement and Ndiaye’s creativity should create chances. Iraq will want to finish their return to the World Cup with pride, and Arnold is experienced going in underdogs from his days coaching Australia, but Senegal should have too much quality if they need a result.
🇳🇴 Norway v 🇫🇷 France
(Mbappe v Haaland headlines the final Group I matchday)
This is the glamour match of Group I and could decide top spot if Norway start well. France have the deeper and more balanced squad, but Norway have the match-winner capable of turning any game. Haaland’s battle with Saliba, Upamecano and Konate could be one of the best individual contests of the group stage, while Mbappe’s pace will test Norway’s defensive line. If France already have six points, Deschamps may manage minutes. If first place is still live, this could be a genuine statement fixture.
World Cup Group I prediction & best bets
France are the logical pick to win Group I. Their squad has the most depth, the best recent World Cup record and enough attacking talent to beat any team in the section, even if Senegal and Norway both present difficult tactical tests.
Norway are our pick to finish second. Senegal are dangerous and have enough quality to qualify, but Haaland and Odegaard give Norway a higher ceiling in the decisive matches. Their opener against Iraq should also allow them to build early momentum.
The most likely Group I order is France first, Norway second, Senegal third and Iraq fourth. Senegal may still have a strong chance of reaching the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, but Norway look the better top-two option.
France to win Group I at 1.50
Group I Exacta, France first and Norway second with football betting sites.
