World Cup Group I Predictions: FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview

June 5, 2026

One of the most competitive opening rounds at this year’s World Cup is Group I, with three of the four nations having realistic hopes of progression. France will be favored to top the standings based on the World Cup 2026 Group I odds, but Senegal and Norway both have dark horse chances of going deep in the tournament.

Group I Overview

World Cup Group I Teams & Analysis

France World Cup 2026 Preview – Les Blues Targeting Third Straight Final

France has been one of the most consistent teams in recent World Cup history, reaching each of the last three finals. History could repeat itself based on the odds available at BiggerZ, as Les Bleus are 6.00 to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and 1.40 to win Group I. Didier Deschamps’ side has been dominant across the last qualifying cycle, winning five of their six fixtures, and also finishing third in last year’s Nations League.

The sheer volume of attacking quality in the squad is unnerving, with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise all expected to start. If things aren’t going to plan, Deschamps can call on players such as Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, and Rayan Cherki. Dembele, Doue, and Barcola should come into the World Cup in excellent form after starring in PSG’s Champions League final win against Arsenal.

William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will also form a strong defensive partnership. One area of the field where the team may be vulnerable is in the middle of the park, with 35-year-old N’Golo Kante remaining a key member. He doesn’t have the physicality to get up and down the field nowadays, which could make him among the standout France World Cup predictions for cards.

Senegal World Cup 2026 Preview – Africans to Repeat 2002 Heroics

Pape Thiaw’s Senegal is one of the most underrated nations in this summer’s World Cup, and they could be a good chance at odds of 9.00 to win Group I. Lions of Teranga won AFCON earlier this year, before the result was overturned. Their overall performance level remains very strong, and they are more than capable against the best nations in the world, as reflected by a dominant win against England last summer.

Senegal famously reached the quarterfinals in 2002, beating France in the group stage during that campaign. They were also competitive four years ago, reaching the round of 16 before losing against England. The African nation’s excellent defensive record will give them a strong chance, with the energetic trio of Idrissa Gueye, Pape Sarr, and Pape Gueye capable of breaking up opposing attacks.

The nation also boasts excellent options in the final third, including Nicolas Jackson, who will be among the prominent Senegal World Cup predictions when wagering on goalscorers. Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr will likely provide support for the number nine.

Iraq World Cup 2026 Preview – Minnows to Struggle in Red-Hot Group

Iraq will be competing at its second World Cup this summer, and its first since 1986. Graham Arnold’s side won 13 of their 21 qualifying matches, but they were typically vulnerable in transition, allowing 14 goals. It would also be a major concern that the nation has yet to win a World Cup fixture.

However, being the underdogs is unlikely to faze the Asian nation, as they upset the odds in their Inter-Confederation playoff against Bolivia earlier this year. That was the perfect response after losing successive matches to nil in the FIFA Arab Cup in December.

While a host of younger players will shape the squad, there will be pressure on Aymen Hussein at the top of the field. The striker has scored 33 goals in 93 internationals, which will ensure that he’s the standout selection when making Iraq World Cup predictions. Ali Al-Hamadi will be the back-up striker after scoring once in 14 starts for Luton Town last season.

Norway World Cup 2026 Preview – Dark Horse Contenders

Norway has been widely flagged up as a potential dark horse contender for this summer’s World Cup. However, their chances could have been negatively impacted after being drawn in a fiercely competitive group. Stale Solbakken’s team were extremely eye-catching throughout qualification, and they are as short as 1.20 to qualify.

Norway were perfect in the qualifying phase, winning all eight of their fixtures and scoring a national team record 37 goals. This summer marks their first return to the World Cup since 1998, with superstars such as Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland likely to feature heavily in assist and scorer markets when making Norway World Cup predictions.

Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb provide options from wide positions, with each likely to cut inside to shoot on their preferred foot. Sander Berge and Patrick Berg will play in deeper roles to protect the backline and will be crucial in giving Norway the platform required to excel in the final third.

Group I Key Fixtures & Match Predictions

France vs. Senegal (June 16)

MD1 in Group I will be giving French fans flashbacks, as the 2018 champions take on Senegal. The nations previously collided in the group stage in 2002, with the African nation recording a shock win. Senegal will be 6.60 outsiders with BiggerZ to repeat that feat this summer.

Their counter-attacking style could flourish against the French, especially given the lack of energy that Deschamps’ side has in the middle of the field.

Norway vs. France (June 26)

An MD3 clash between Norway and France could determine Group I, with the sides being the top two selections for progression. Norway’s perfect record in qualifying makes them interesting this summer, but France’s excellent attacking output could unnerve a Norwegian side that has yet to be tested against one of the world’s very best teams. At odds of 1.67 with BiggerZ, a win for France could be one of the standout World Cup Group I betting tips.

Group I Players to Watch

Michael Olise (France)

All the attention on the French front line will be on Mbappe and Dembele, but it could be Olise who shines. The Bayern Munich superstar is competitively priced at 11.00 to register the most assists at this year’s World Cup, and his productivity domestically this season has been sensational. The 24-year-old registered 20 assists in 32 Bundesliga matches, and also ended the campaign with eleven goal involvements in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Erling Haaland is the most obvious choice to score the most goals in Group I. The Norwegian striker is one of the world’s best number nines, and his record this term for Man City was sensational, netting 38 goals in 52 games. His strike rate at the international level is also staggering, scoring 17 goals in nine internationals in 2025. Leading Golden Boot contender.

El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal)

Senegal will be strong from set pieces at the World Cup, meaning that El Hadji Malick Diouf could be a player worth considering when making picks. The West Ham full-back will take in swinging corners and free-kicks, and his output for the struggling Hammers was reliable last season, racking up five assists. His excellent quality could be worth assessing when making BTTS selections on Senegal matches.

Predicted Group I Standings

Based on our findings in this Group I World Cup preview, there is value in siding with Senegal to upset the odds. France plays no warm-up games in the U.S. before their opener, while the Africans could hold the edge in their aim to emulate their feat from 2002. We like Senegal’s chances of topping the group, with France taking second and Norway finishing third. Unfortunately, Iraq will exit the group stage in the opening round.

Pos

Team

Pts

1st

Senegal

2nd

France

3rd

Norway

4th

Iraq

World Cup Group I Betting Tips & Smart Bets

Pick

Market

Odds

Reasoning

Senegal

Group Winner

9.00

Primed to upset the odds. Have made significant strides over the last 18 months, proving hard to beat. Will be suited by conditions, and their preparations ahead of the tournament have been near-perfect.

France

To Qualify

1.02

World-class attacking talent will ensure their progression with wins against Iraq and Norway following a MD1 setback against Senegal. Talk of Deschamps’ departure unlikely to improve squad morale.

Erling Haaland

Top Group Scorer

–

A world-class striker who has maintained his reliable record for Norway in recent years. Will likely struggle against France and Senegal, but could net a hat-trick against defensively weak Iraq.

France vs. Iraq Over 3 Goals

Total Goals (Over/Under)

1.74

Offensively strong France will dominate against lowly ranked Iraq. Will win by four goals to show their dominance.

Norway Exact Points – 3

Value / Wildcard Pick

6.00

Highly touted but unproven against the world’s better teams. Will come up short against France and Senegal, with their only win coming against Iraq.

World Cup Group I Predictions – Our Verdict

Our World Cup Group I predictions foresee a shock in the opening round, with Senegal preferred to beat France to top spot. The French will secure their progression on MD3 with a win against Norway, with Erling Haaland’s nation finishing third. Iraq will exit in the opening round.

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