2026 World Cup Group I Guide: Teams, schedule, key player

France are once again one of the favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the competition, but first they'll have to navigate a tricky group.

DAZN News takes a look at Group I, examining the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026. 

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

 

Group I - at a glance 

• France
• Senegal
• Iraq
• Norway

Fixtures

Predicted qualifiers

As one of the favourites for the tournament, France should have no major issues with this group and progressing, alongside Norway, who are very much in the competition's 'dark horse' category. 

The Teams

France

World Ranking: 3
Best World Cup result: Champions 1998, 2018

Les Bleus enter the tournament with sky-high expectations and a world class squad that matches up with any other team on the planet.

After winning their second World Cup in 2018, the French then made it all the way to the final at Qatar 2022 before being bested by Argentina in one of the all-time great matches in tournament history.

Four years on, France are no less of a threat to win it all again, and may even boast a better squad than the one that came within a single goal of global supremacy last time out.

Needless to say, France are pencilled in by many for a long stay in North America this summer.

Key man - Kylian Mbappé

Shining brightest in a team full of stars is the Real Madrid man, who has already played in two World Cup finals and will be aiming for his third at age 27. Just two goals off the all-time lead for his country, Mbappé has already secured legendary status for his nation.

Manager - Didier Deschamps

The longtime France boss is back for another shot at global glory after leading his nation to a World Cup in 2018. Having won the 1998 tournament as a player, Deschamps is only the third player in history to lift the trophy as both a player and a manager.

GettyImages

Senegal

World Ranking: 12
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals 2002

It's already been a tumultous year for les Lions de la Teranga, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations over Morocco but had that title stripped as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared that they forfeited the match due to their stoppage-time walkout to protest a penalty.

That decision has been appealed and the matter is now a legal one, but Senegal will have to overcome the distraction for a World Cup in which they are well-positioned to do some damage.

Key man - Sadio Mané

Now 33, Mané is in the twilight of his career but is still a major figure for his nation. The team's top goalscorer by a considerable margin, Mané will still be relied upon for his ability in front of goal.

Manager - Pape Thiaw 

A former Senegal international, Thiaw's took over national team job in 2024 after managing a club in his homeland.

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Iraq 

World Ranking: 58 
Best World Cup: Group stage, 1986 

It's been forty years since the last time Iraq graced the World Cup stage, but the Usood al-Rafidayn are back for 2026 after getting through the play-offs.

They finally booked their place in the States with a 2-1 win over Bolivia and will come into the tournament as somewhat of the group unknowns. 

Their squad is made up of a large contingent of home-based players, but also several who play their football in Europe for clubs including Venezia, Utrecht and Luton Town. 

There's no doubt they'll be the rank outsiders of the quartet, but they'll go to the finals looking for more than just making up the numbers. 

Key man -  Aymen Hussein

The man who scored the goal that saw them progress to the finals, Hussein, has 33 goals for his country and is their main threat up front. 

Manager  - Graham Arnold 

The Australian already has World Cup form, having led his home country at the 2022 finals and has been in charge of Iraq since May last year. 

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Norway

World Ranking: 32
Best World Cup: Round of 16 1938, 1998

Back at the World Cup after a 26-year absence, Norway head to North America looking to be one of the darkhorses of the tournament.

Blessed with attacking talent that could rival most countries, the Norwegians are set up to pull off a surprise or two. With captain Martin Odegaard, along with midfielders Oscar Bobb and Julian Ryerson, and forwards Alexander Sorloth and Jorgen Strand Larsen, there is no shortage of experience and pedigree in Norway's squad.

Key man - Erling Haaland

Arguably the deadliest goalscorer of his generation, Haaland gives the Norwegians a true world class weapon up front that will give pause to opposing defences.

Manager - Stale Solbakken 

Capped 58 times for his country, Solbakken returned to the Norway national team as manager in 2020. His head coaching experience includes stints at Copenhagen, Cologne and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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