France
The seeded favourites. Didier Deschamps' side, built around captain Kylian Mbappe and one of the deepest squads in world football, are among the favourites to win the whole tournament. Read our full France squad guide.
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Group Guide · 2026 World Cup
World Cup 2026 Group I
Group I is led by France and completed by African heavyweights Senegal, a Norway side carrying Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, and Asia's Iraq. Didier Deschamps builds around captain Kylian Mbappe and one of the deepest talent pools in the world, Senegal pair Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane, Norway return to the finals for the first time since 1998, and the Lions of Mesopotamia arrive under Graham Arnold. This northeastern group runs through New Jersey, the Boston area, Philadelphia and Toronto. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.
I
Group
4
Teams
16 Jun
France vs Senegal
2
Qualify (Plus Best Thirds)
The short version. Group I is France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq. It opens with France vs Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 16 June, with games across New Jersey, the Boston area, Philadelphia and Toronto. France are strong favourites to win the group, with Senegal and Norway the likeliest challengers for second, and the top two go through automatically alongside the best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
The Four Teams
Who is in Group I
A French side among the tournament favourites, a powerful Senegal, a Norway team finally back on the biggest stage with two superstars, and a committed Iraq. Here is the Group I field.
Senegal
The African heavyweights. Under Pape Thiaw, Senegal pair captain Kalidou Koulibaly and talisman Sadio Mane with pace and depth, and as former African champions they are the most likely to join France in the knockouts. Read our Senegal guide.
Norway
The returning Scandinavians. Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 under Stale Solbakken, Norway carry Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in their prime and can challenge anyone if Haaland is firing. Read our Norway guide.
Iraq
The Asian battlers. The Lions of Mesopotamia reached the finals through a gruelling Asian campaign and are now coached by Australian Graham Arnold. Organised and committed, they aim for a famous result. Read our Iraq guide.
The Fixtures
Group I fixtures, venues and dates
Six Group I matches across three matchdays in the northeastern United States and Canada. France play in New Jersey, Philadelphia and the Boston area, with the other games shared across the same region plus Toronto. The two final-round games kick off at the same time. Times below are US Eastern.
Matchday 1 · 16 June
France vs Senegal
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Iraq vs Norway
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Matchday 2 · 22 June
France vs Iraq
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Norway vs Senegal
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Matchday 3 · 26 June · Simultaneous kickoff
Norway vs France
Fri 26 Jun 2026
Senegal vs Iraq
Fri 26 Jun 2026
For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. France's path is covered in detail in our France squad guide.
The Format
How qualification works in Group I
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:
- Top two go through. The winner and runner-up of Group I qualify automatically for the new Round of 32, the extra knockout round added for 2026.
- Best thirds matter. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance. That means a strong third place in Group I, with points and goal difference, can still be enough.
- France set the standard. As the seeded side, France will expect to win the group, leaving Senegal and Norway to fight over second and a best-third place.
- The final round is decisive. The matchday-three games kick off simultaneously to keep things fair, so Norway vs France in Foxborough and Senegal vs Iraq in Toronto will be settled side by side.
The Prediction
Who advances from Group I
A group with one tournament favourite and a strong fight for second. Here is how we see it:
- 1st: France. The deepest squad in the group by some distance. If Mbappe and the supporting cast click, France should win Group I and target a deep run.
- 2nd: Senegal. The most complete challenger, with the experience and quality of Koulibaly and Mane to take second.
- 3rd: Norway. With Haaland able to win games on his own, Norway could pip Senegal for second and remain strong contenders for a best-third place.
- 4th: Iraq. Organised and stubborn, Iraq will compete and could frustrate the favourites, but the gap in quality makes qualification a tall order.
France are the standout, but the race for second between Senegal and Norway could go to the final matchday. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Which teams are in Group I at the 2026 World Cup?
Group I at the 2026 World Cup contains France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq. France were the seeded side in Group I after the December 2025 draw, joined by African heavyweights Senegal, a Norway side carrying Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, and Asia's Iraq, the Lions of Mesopotamia.
When does Group I start at the 2026 World Cup?
Group I begins on Tuesday 16 June 2026 with France against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicking off at 3pm Eastern. Iraq face Norway later the same day at Gillette Stadium near Boston.
Where are the Group I matches played?
Group I is played in the northeastern United States and Canada. The venues are MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough near Boston, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and BMO Field in Toronto, where Senegal and Iraq close the group.
What are the full Group I fixtures?
Matchday one: France vs Senegal (16 June, East Rutherford) and Iraq vs Norway (16 June, Foxborough). Matchday two: France vs Iraq (22 June, Philadelphia) and Norway vs Senegal (22 June, East Rutherford). Matchday three: Norway vs France (26 June, Foxborough) and Senegal vs Iraq (26 June, Toronto).
Who is the favourite to win Group I?
France are clear favourites to win Group I. Didier Deschamps' side, built around captain Kylian Mbappe and one of the deepest talent pools in world football, are among the favourites for the whole tournament. Senegal are the most likely challenger for second place.
How many teams advance from Group I?
The top two teams in Group I advance to the Round of 32 automatically. Because the 2026 World Cup has 48 teams in 12 groups, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also qualify, so a strong third place can still be enough to go through.
How strong is Senegal in Group I?
Senegal are a powerful side and the most likely team to join France in the knockouts. Under Pape Thiaw they pair captain Kalidou Koulibaly and talisman Sadio Mane with pace and depth across the squad, and they are former African champions with real pedigree.
Can Norway advance from Group I with Haaland?
Yes. Norway are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and arrive with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in their prime under Stale Solbakken. If Haaland is firing, Norway can challenge Senegal for second place and a best-third spot.
How is Iraq shaping up in Group I?
Iraq, the Lions of Mesopotamia, reached the 2026 World Cup through a hard-fought Asian campaign and are now coached by Australian Graham Arnold. They are organised and committed, but face three sides ranked above them and will target a famous result.
Who will qualify from Group I?
Our prediction is that France win Group I, with Senegal taking second on the strength of their squad. Norway, driven by Erling Haaland, are expected to push hard for second and a best-third place, while Iraq aim to be competitive in every game.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Group I is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
France Squad
Didier Deschamps' side, captain Kylian Mbappe and the deep talent pool chasing redemption after 2022.
Read the France guide ›Senegal Squad
Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and the African champions' depth, and the case for a deep run in Group I.
Read the Senegal guide ›Group H
Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, with the full Group H fixtures, venues and prediction.
Read the Group H guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team and time zone.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group I teams, fixtures, venues and dates:
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