Even without the identity of the fourth team being known, Group I is shaping up as one of the toughest to navigate in this World Cup. Having won twice and lost two other finals since 1998, France are the modern-day Brazil, while Norway thumped Italy 7-1 over two games to gain automatic qualification. Senegal were African champions in 2021, while Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq — the three sides vying for the last spot — won’t be pushovers either.
Team 1: France
- Fixtures (IST approximate times not yet published)
@Metlife Stadium, New York, vs Senegal — June 17, 2026 (0030 IST).
@Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, vs FIFA Playoff 2 winner — June 23, 2026 (0230 IST).
@Gilette Stadium, Boston, vs Norway — June 27, 2026 (0030 IST).
- Previous best finish: Winners (1998, 2018)
- How they qualified: Topped their qualifying group with five wins out of six.
- Key player: Kylian Mbappe remains an unstoppable force of nature when fit. Could break Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16 goals. He has 12.
- Coaching credentials: Didier Deschamps has been in the job 13 years, though his often-staid style hasn’t won many admirers. Tough to argue with the results though.
- Likely breakthrough star: The London-born Michael Olise, who came into the professional ranks at Reading, is now one of European football’s hottest properties.
- Realistic expectation: Anything less than a semi-final appearance will be regarded as a failure for a nation that possesses scary attacking talent.
Team 2: Senegal
- Fixtures
@Metlife Stadium, New York, vs France — June 17, 2026 (0030 IST).
@Metlife Stadium, New York, vs Norway — June 23, 2026 (0030 IST).
@BMO Field, Toronto, vs FIFA Playoff 2 winner — June 27, 2026 (0030 IST).
- Previous best finish: Quarterfinalists in 2002, when they beat France in the opening game.
- How they qualified: Finished top of their group while conceding just three goals in 10 matches.
- Key player: He may be out of the spotlight in the Saudi League, but Sadio Mane remains the talisman.
- Coaching credentials: Pape Thiaw had the tough task of succeeding the legendary Aliou Cisse. So far, he has aced every test. The AFCON in Morocco will be the first major challenge.
- Likely breakthrough star: Iliman Ndiaye is a tricky and elusive forward, who can play various positions.
- Realistic expectation: Having beaten England and Brazil in friendlies, they will eye a top-two finish and the knockouts.
Team 3: Norway
- Fixtures
@Gilette Stadium, Boston, vs FIFA Playoff 2 winner — June 17, 2026 (0030 IST)
@Metlife Stadium, New York, vs Senegal — June 23, 2026 (0030 IST).
@Gilette Stadium, Boston, vs France — June 27, 2026 (0030 IST).
- Previous best finish: Reached the last 16 in 1998, after beating Brazil in the group stage.
- How they qualified: Won each of their eight games at a canter, thrashing Italy twice.
- Key player: Erling Haaland is one of the world’s most-feared forwards.
- Coaching credentials: Stale Solbakken was considered a failure after Norway couldn’t make it to the last few major tournaments. But a more player-centric approach has seen an about-turn in fortunes.
- Likely breakthrough star: RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa is talent to get excited about. Only 20, he may make most impact off the bench as teams tire.
- Realistic expectation: Qualification for the knockouts is almost mandatory given the talent in the ranks.
Team 4: FIFA Playoff 2 Winner — Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq
- Fixtures
@Gilette Stadium, Boston, vs Norway — June 17, 2026 (0030 IST).
@Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, vs France — June 23, 2026 (0230 IST).
@BMO Field, Toronto, vs Senegal — June 27, 2026 (0030 IST).
- Previous best finish: Iraq didn’t make it out of the first round in 1986, while Bolivia exited at that stage in USA ’94.
- How they qualify: The best of the rest from Concacaf, Asia and South America facing off.
- Key player: If Iraq make it through, Zidane Iqbal, once of Manchester United, will be a key player.
- Coaching credentials: Suriname are guided by Stanley Menzo, once Ajax goalkeeper, while Iraq have Graham Arnold, who enjoyed a fair degree of success with his native Australia.
- Likely breakthrough star: Iraq’s Ali Jasim, who plays in Saudi Arabia, is tipped to be their next top striker.
- Realistic expectation: Will struggle to progress from one of the toughest groups.
Group prediction
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- FIFA Playoff winner 2
Also Read: World Cup Group L preview: Can favourites England go the distance?
