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2026 World Cup Group Guides · Group I

Group I Preview — FIFA Rankings, Squads & Round-of-32 Scenarios (2026 World Cup)

Group I of the 2026 World Cup features France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq. A data-driven preview: FIFA rankings, captains, squad sizes, the full fixture list, and how each side can reach the Round of 32.

Group snapshot

Average FIFA ranking
26
Group strength
3 of 12 (1 = strongest)
Ranking favourite
France (#1)
Ranking spread
56· Wide ranking gap
Includes a FIFA top-10 side

The four teams

France
FranceFranceFIFA #1
Captain: Kylian Mbappé · 26-player squad
Senegal
SenegalSenegalFIFA #14
Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly · 26-player squad
Norway
NorwayNorwayFIFA #31
Captain: Martin Ødegaard · 26-player squad
Iraq
IraqIraqFIFA #57
Captain: Jalal Hassan · 26-player squad

Group I fixtures

Times shown in your local time

FranceFrance
19:00
Jun 16
SenegalSenegal
New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford)
IraqIraq
22:00
Jun 16
NorwayNorway
Boston (Foxborough)
FranceFrance
21:00
Jun 22
IraqIraq
Philadelphia
NorwayNorway
00:00
Jun 22
SenegalSenegal
New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford)
NorwayNorway
19:00
Jun 26
FranceFrance
Boston (Foxborough)
SenegalSenegal
19:00
Jun 26
IraqIraq
Toronto

Qualification outlook

The top two of Group I reach the Round of 32 directly, while the third-placed team can still advance through the best-third-place race (8 of 12 qualify). By FIFA ranking, France start as favourites to top the group — but under the new 2026 tie-break rules (head-to-head first), nothing is decided until the matches are played.

Group I live scenarios & simulator →All group guides

※ Preview based on a FIFA ranking snapshot and announced squads. Not affiliated with FIFA.