France
France open Group I with the highest ceiling in the section and clear first-place expectation. Their biggest challenge is not quality, but handling a group where every opponent has a distinct way to hurt them.
As of April 3, 2026, Group I is set with France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. On paper it has one of the strongest top-to-bottom talent mixes in the tournament, which means even the opening standings picture should be watched closely.
France bring elite squad depth, Senegal add athletic balance and tournament know-how, Norway offer major attacking threat, and Iraq arrive with belief, structure, and the kind of support-driven energy that can shift a match.
Group I Schedule
View All Matches →Below is the full 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I fixture list, including match dates, kickoff times, opponents, and venues.
June 16 • 19:00 UTC
Group I
France0 - 0
Senegal
June 16 • 22:00 UTC
Group I
Iraq0 - 0
Norway
June 22 • 21:00 UTC
Group I
France0 - 0
Iraq
June 23 • 00:00 UTC
Group I
Norway0 - 0
Senegal
June 26 • 19:00 UTC
Group I
Norway0 - 0
France
June 26 • 19:00 UTC
Group I
Senegal0 - 0
IraqGroup I Standings
View All Standings →As of April 3, 2026, no Group I match has been played, so all four teams start level on zero points and zero goal difference. The table below will begin to separate once the section opens on June 16, 2026.
Group I
| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Norway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Iraq | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group I Teams
Back to All Groups →Senegal
Senegal remain one of Africa's strongest tournament teams and look built for difficult group-stage games. Their mix of power, pace, and defensive discipline gives them a realistic top-two chance.
Norway
Norway bring one of the most dangerous attacking profiles in this section and should expect to be in the qualification race throughout. If they stay balanced without the ball, they can push anyone in Group I.
Iraq
Iraq come into the group with a hard-working profile and real emotional momentum around the team. They may enter as outsiders, but they are capable of turning tight games into genuine qualification points.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of April 3, 2026, Group I includes France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. The group was locked in after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final draw and the completion of the last qualification decisions.
The top two teams in Group I qualify directly for the Round of 32. The eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also advance in the expanded 48-team format.
As of April 3, 2026, the Group I standings are level because no match has been played yet. All four teams start on zero points, zero wins, and zero goal difference before the opening fixtures.
Group I opens on June 16, 2026 and the final round of group-stage fixtures is scheduled for June 26, 2026. Full kickoff times and venue links are listed in the schedule section above.