Group I predictions: FIFA World Cup 2026

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As we build up to FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I comes under the spotlight as we assess the prospects of France, Senegal, Iraq and Norway.

Fixtures

Matchday 1

France vs Senegal
Iraq vs Norway

Matchday 2

France vs Iraq
Norway vs Senegal

Matchday 3

Norway vs France
Senegal vs Iraq

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Perhaps one of the strongest groups at FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the leading contenders for the tournament, France, are joined alongside two very impressive sides in Senegal and Norway, as well as Iraq in Group I.

Didier Deschamps, who has been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012, is heading into his final tournament as the French national team head coach and they will be expected to go deep with a star-studded attack that consists of the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Desire Doue and Michael Olise.

Norway, under the management of former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Stale Solbakken, have an extremely impressive squad, particularly in attack which headlined by Erling Haaland. They qualified in emphatic fashion, finishing top of their UEFA qualification group, returning to the global stage for the first time since 1998.

Much like the Norwegians, Senegal will also be expected to go deep this summer. The Lions of Teranga should be seen as one off, if not the strongest African side in the competition. They have an extremely strong squad and will believe they can go just as far as when they reached the round of 16 at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Iraq, on the other hand, face an extremely tough test, having been one of the last qualifiers for this summer as they came from behind to defeat Bolivia in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs. Former Australia boss Graham Arnold is the coach to have led Iraq to the 48-team tournament via the AFC playoffs in the autumn.

Iraq will be expected to be comprehensively beaten in all three games and the real question comes as to whether the French can be toppled at the top by either Norway or Senegal. This is a group where all three teams should get through and all three could go deep. The fact that Norway’s final group game is against France could help Senegal secure second spot in Group I.

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Predicted group placements

1st: France
2nd: Senegal
3rd: Norway
4th: Iraq