France are the headline act in Group I but Senegal, Iraq and Norway are not to be underestimated.
Teams
- France
- Senegal
- Iraq
- Norway
Fixtures
Date | Fixture | Kick-off (BST) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
16th June | France v Senegal | 20:00 | New York/New Jersey Stadium |
16th June | Iraq v Norway | 23:00 | Boston Stadium |
22nd June | France v Iraq | 22:00 | Philadelphia Stadium
|
23rd June | Norway v Senegal | 01:00 | New York/New Jersey Stadium |
26th June | Norway v France | 20:00 | Boston Stadium |
26th June | Senegal v Iraq | 20:00 | Toronto Stadium |
France
Les Bleus have outstanding credentials as they bid to win their third World Cup title this summer.
They last lifted the trophy in 2018 and was it not for a Lionel Messi masterclass in 2022, we may have been talking about France as back-to-back World Cup winners.
Their squad is arguably the best in the tournament and they could go all the way.
Manager
Didier Deschamps
This will be Didier Deschamps' last tournament in charge of France and, for some, how they fair here will define his reign.
Deschamps of course oversaw a World Cup victory in 2018, however, many believe that France have underperformed relative to the quality that they have possessed since Deschamps was appointed in 2012. Regardless of which side of the line you sit, the 57-year-old has international experience matched by few at the tournament and this can only be a positive for his side.
Key Player
Kylian Mbappe
Whilst France have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal; Kylian Mbappe remains their most important player.
Courtesy of his goal in 2018 and hat-trick in 2022, Mbappe has scored the most goals in World Cup finals of any player in the history of the game. Only Olivier Giroud has more goals for France but the 27-year-old needs just two goals to claim that record outright.
Breakout player
Warren Zaire-Emery
Although his talents are very much known at club level, Warren Zaire-Emery is yet to do it for his national team.
With just 11 caps to his name, Zaire-Emery is preparing for his first major international tournament and it is one where his influence might grow as the games tick by. Deschamps still seems set on starting Adrien Rabiot in midfield but with in a 48-team World Cup, there will likely be increased rotation.
The 20-year-old has been a consistent starter and key player for Paris Saint-Germain this season and it is only a matter of time before he is doing the same for France.
Odds
Group I is arguably the toughest of all but the sheer quality and depth that France have, should see then chart a comfortable path through to the knockout stages.
Senegal
Whether they won or lost the Africa Cup of Nations final matters not; Senegal are to be taken very seriously at the World Cup.
Established stars such as Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy will be supported by a band of exciting talent that includes the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye.
Their best-ever finish is a quarter-final and there is a real chance that they could reach the last eight again.
Manager
Pape Thiaw
Pape Thiaw was part of Senegal's greatest World Cup run in 2002 and will draw on that experience to aide his players this summer.
Thiaw's 75% win percentage as Senegal boss is not to be sniffed at and they have beaten the likes of England, Egypt and DR Congo since taking over at the end of 2024.
Key player
Sadio Mane
At 34, Sadio Mane is still very much Senegal's most vital component.
Their all-time leading goalscorer and second-highest appearance maker, there are few heading to this summer's World Cup that have had the impact that Mane has on a nation. The former Liverpool winger scored more than any other Senegal player through qualifying and started all seven of their matches at AFCON.
Breakout player
El Hadji Malick Diouf
West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf was one of the bright sparks of any otherwise dim season for the Hammers.
The 21-year-old was a constant threat in wide areas, tirelessly getting up and down the touchline, even providing five assists for his teammates.
Odds
Facing off against France in their opener, Senegal could be under a lot of pressure heading into their final two group matches should they fall to a defeat.
However, on their day, they can beat anyone and a game against Iraq to conclude the first part of their tournament should provide them with an opportunity to get three points on the board.
Iraq
The Lions of Mesopotamia are back on the biggest stage for the first time in 40 years and they could make a real splash in North America.
Warm-up matches against Andorra and Spain have yielded a win and a draw respectively, a solid return that will provide them with plenty of confidence heading into the tournament proper.
Manager
Graham Arnold
Aussie gaffer Graham Arnold did the unthinkable when he masterminded Iraq's passage to the World Cup, shortly after a loss to Palestine left morale at an all-time low within the squad.
Arnold has previous experience at international level with his home nation Australia, leading the Socceroos to the round of 16 where they were defeated by eventual winners Argentina.
Key player
Aymen Hussein
Iraqis are known for having a passionate football culture and Aymen Hussain is adored by their legion of fans after scoring the goal that took their country to their first World Cup in four decades.
Hussain is one of the standout names in the Iraqi Stars League history and the 33-strong goal tally that he has amassed for Iraq puts him fifth on their all-time top goalscorer list.
Breakout player
Marko Farji
Farji has only played nine times for his national team but has the potential to play a starring role for years to come.
The 22-year-old shone whilst playing for Stromsgodet in the Danish top-flight, scoring nine and assisting a further four in the 2025 campaign before earning a move to Venezia. It has admittedly been tough for Farji trying to break into their Serie B-winning side, however, he is sure to receive regular minutes this summer.
Odds
On paper, it's an uphill task for Iraq this summer. On the flip side, a win might just be enough to see them through and at their best they are capable of springing an upset.
Norway
Norway enter this tournament as a dark horse for many and taking a look at their squad, it's easy to see why.
Landslaget are absolutely stacked with attacking talent, of course spearheaded by Erling Haaland, and if they can put it all together, they have what it takes to trouble any defence in the world.
Manager
Ståle Solbakken
It has been a long journey for former Wolves coach Ståle Solbakken but he has finally fulfilled his long ambition to become Norway's head coach.
Following two successful spells as Copenhagen head coach, Solbakken was named as the 'Biggest Manager in Superliga History' by a panel of 38 experts before moving back to his native Norway to take om the national team job.
Key player
Erling Haaland
Any side that has Haaland up front cannot be written off.
The 25-year-old is already one of the greatest strikers football has ever seen and, to his credit, he is able to function in teams with varying styles of play.
He can operate both as a clinical penalty box striker when Norway are dominant and as a tearaway number nine when his team want to launch fast, direct counter-attacks.
Breakout player
Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup has been key for a successful Benfica side this season, helping himself to seven goals and five assists in 20 Portuguese top-flight starts.
He may have to fight Antonio Nusa for a place in the team to begin with, however, if Norway get out of the group, then there should be plenty of minutes to go around for this pacy and direct left-winger.
Odds
This is Norway's first appearance at a major tournament since 2000, so the pressure is really on.
Their group is just about as hard as it gets but with Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, they are expected to at least advance through to the knockout stages.
World Cup Group Previews
- World Cup Group A Preview: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
- World Cup Group B Preview: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
- World Cup Group C Preview: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- World Cup Group D Preview: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
- World Cup Group E Preview: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- World Cup Group F Preview: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
- World Cup Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- World Cup Group H Preview: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- World Cup Group J Preview: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- World Cup Group K Preview: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- World Cup Group L Preview: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of writing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
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