The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week, and the 12 groups are set ahead of the newly expanded 48-team tournament.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks the first time the historic tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. It will also feature a new Round of 32 knockout stage, resulting in a colossal 104 matches across 39 days.
Group I includes France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Let’s take a look at the Group I teams and see how each team is shaping up heading into the tournament.
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway
France:
France remains one of the premier international soccer teams in the world and comes into this summer’s tournament with a complete squad filled with depth across the board. The last decade of international soccer has been dominated by France, with Les Bleus winning the 2018 World Cup and making the final of the 2022 World Cup in what many consider the greatest World Cup Final of all time, losing to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
France’s roster is stacked with talent and is led by Kylian Mbappé, who has had two incredible World Cup campaigns and will be looking to build on his 2022 performance, where he scored eight goals, including a hat trick in the final, en route to winning the tournament’s Golden Boot. Mbappé will also be joined by Paris Saint-Germain wingers Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, who recently won the UEFA Champions League in back-to-back years, with Dembélé also taking home the Ballon d’Or in 2025.
France also has stars such as Michael Olise, N’Golo Kanté, and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the squad, along with premier defenders William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, and Jules Koundé leading the back line. A combination of France’s elite athletes and talent across all three levels may give them their strongest World Cup roster in years. If France continues its dominant form in international tournaments at the 2026 World Cup, it could be a long summer for the rest of the nations.
Senegal:
Senegal will be hoping to prove their status as Africa’s best international team after a wild turn of events during the AFCON final back in January. Senegal and Morocco were locked in a grueling contest that Senegal eventually won 1-0 to reclaim their AFCON title, or so they thought. Two months later, the result was overturned after FIFA ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty late in the game. Having their title stripped leaves Senegal in an unusual situation entering this summer, but it is clear they have something to prove and plenty to play for.
Senegal’s path to this World Cup was relatively straightforward and what you would expect from one of Africa’s best teams, as they went 7-0-3 in qualifying. Their World Cup path will not be easy, as many are calling Group I this tournament’s “group of death,” with Senegal having to face the juggernaut France along with talented Norway and Iraq squads. While former Liverpool winger and current Al Nassr attacker Sadio Mané will be relied upon heavily in the Senegalese attack, Kalidou Koulibaly will be crucial for Senegal’s back line. Koulibaly faces one of his toughest tests of the tournament, potentially going up against two of the world’s top strikers in Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, whom Senegal faces in their first two matches.
Iraq:
Unlike France and Senegal, who have been mainstays in recent World Cup tournaments, Iraq will be making just their second-ever appearance at the World Cup this summer, with their first coming 40 years ago. Iraq was the last nation to qualify for the tournament after taking down Bolivia in FIFA’s inter-confederation playoffs. Iraq and their manager, Graham Arnold, will be hunting for the nation’s first World Cup win, but it won’t be easy in the highly competitive Group I.
Iraq isn’t known for flashy players or dominating possession, yet they can be dangerous on the counterattack, relying on their organization and ability to outwork opponents. Look out for striker Aymen Hussein, who scored the winning goal against Bolivia to send Iraq back to the world’s biggest stage, to be a key difference-maker on the field.
Norway:
Norway is making their first World Cup appearance this century and the fourth in the nation’s history. Despite their limited World Cup experience, the Norwegians will be hopeful they can make it out of the competitive Group I behind their world-class striker and talented supporting cast. Norway breezed through qualifying, winning all eight of their group-stage matches, something only they and England accomplished in UEFA qualifying.
Norway’s strength comes from their plethora of attacking options, including Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth, and Antonio Nusa. All three have played for top European clubs, performed well during qualifying, and will be ready to make an impact on the world stage while helping lead the team alongside their X-factor, Erling Haaland. Haaland had another phenomenal season in the Premier League, notching 27 goals and eight assists. In simple terms, if Haaland is at his best scoring goals for Norway this summer, they have the potential to be dark horses not only in Group I but in the tournament as a whole.
Go to our
Soccer
page for more articles and updates like South Korea’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Roster!
You can
like
The Game Haus on Facebook and
follow
us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!