World Cup 2026: Group I Preview

FRANCE

MANAGER: Didier Deschamps

FIFA RANKING: 1

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 16

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Winners x2 - 1998 and 2018

This will be France's final tournament with Didier Deschamps as their manager and the players will be determined for him to go out on a high. He's guided them to the final at the last two World Cup's, winning the first and losing the second, and he'll want to go one better than they did four years ago so he can end his successful reign on a high. The French have arguably the best squad at this tournament and especially in attack because of the options they have in that department. The depth they have in that area might just make them the favourites.

KEY PLAYER: Kylian Mbappe

Position: Forward

Club: Real Madrid

Mbappe has lit up every World Cup he's played in as he won the best young player award in 2018 and the golden boot in 2022. He'll no doubt be looking to win the player of the tournament award as well as another golden boot as he seeks to firmly establish himself as the best player in the word. If he can have another outstanding tournament, France could go all the way and he could win his first long awaited Ballon D'or.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Olise

Position: Winger

Club: Bayern Munich

Olise comes into his first tournament with France off the back of a stellar season a Bayern Munich where he was involved with a staggering 51 goals in all competitions. He's plays more centrally for his country than he does for his club, but he'll still be as influential as ever.

PREDICTION: Winners

They have arguably the strongest squad at the tournament and easily the best attack due to the options they have there. Because of this I can see them go all the way.

SENEGAL

MANAGER: Pape Thiaw

FIFA RANKING: 14

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Quarter Finals - 2002

Senegal were hoping to go into this World Cup as AFCON champions only to have their title stripped away because of them fielding an ineligible player. They have since appealed against that decision but it's unlikely to get overturned. They come into this tournament with an ageing squad with a lot of their players on the other side of 30 but there are a few young players in there to give them energy and freshness.

KEY PLAYER: Sadio Mane

Position: Forward

Club: Al Nassr

He might not have the pace he once did, but Mane is still Senegal's main man at the age of 34 and he showed at AFCON that he still has a lot to offer. He won the player of the tournament award at AFCON as Senegal reached the final and he can still step up for his team when he's needed most.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Iliman Ndiaye

Position: Winger

Club: Everton

Ndiaye has shown flashes of his abilities at Everton and could replace Mane as Senegal's main man. He's still a long way from being the finished article but he'll still cause defences problems with his pace and ability to cut inside.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They've got a squad with a good mix of both experienced and young players which is a good mixture to have. But I don't see them replicating their achievement from 2002.

IRAQ

MANAGER: Graham Arnold

FIFA RANKING: 57

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage - 1986

Iraq will be playing at their first World Cup since 1986 which has been their only appearance at these major finals. It's quite incredible that they made it to a World Cup as their country was war-torn for years and for them to be at a World Cup after all that is some story. Their people will finally have something to cheer about by being at this World Cup.

KEY PLAYER: Aymen Hussein

Position: Striker

Club: Al-Karma

Hussein scored 9 goals in qualifying with his winning goal against Bolivia being the one that sent them to these finals. If Iraq are to compete at these finals and get out the group, they'll him to deliver the goals.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Amir Al-Ammari

Position: Midfielder

Club: Cracovia

Al-Ammari is effective at both sides of the game in stopping opposition attacks and starting attacks for his own team. He knows when to spot danger due to his reading the game and when he has the ball his first thought to play the ball forwards so his team can go on the attack.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They'll be massive underdogs in this group because they haven't got the quality or calibre of players that the other teams have. Because of this I can see them going home early.

NORWAY

MANAGER: Stale Solbakken

FIFA RANKING: 31

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Last 16 x2 - 1938 and 1998

Norway are back at a major finals for the first time since Euro 2000 and back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998. They'll come into this tournament as many people's dark horses and especially with someone like Erling Haaland in their side. Haaland's dad Alfie went to the 1994 World Cup which was also held in the US and he'll get to watch his own son play at a major tournament for the first time in the same continent he played his only major tournament in.

KEY PLAYER: Erling Haaland

Position: Striker

Club: Man City

Haaland will finally get the chance to show why he's one of the best marksmen in the world on the biggest stage of international football after years of showing it at club level. With a lethal predator like him up top, Norway have every chance of causing a few upsets.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Martin Odegaard

Position: Midfielder

Club: Arsenal

Odegaard is Norway's best player after Haaland and the one who gives them that creative spark. He runs games from midfield and is always looking to make things happen because of the creativity he brings to the table. When he's on it there aren't many players that are as good as him.

PREDICTION: Last 16

They have the potential to cause some surprises and it wouldn't surprise me if they did. They'll definitely get out the group because they should have enough quality to do so, but they might fall short of the latter stages.