2026 World Cup: Group I preview, odds & predictions

France

Having appeared in each of the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2018, France enter this summer's tournament as favourites to win a third World Cup, with their electrifying attacking quality striking fear into every defence they come up against.

With Kylian Mbappe favourite to pick up the Golden Boot, Ousmane Dembele in the conversation to win a second consecutive Ballon d'Or, and Desire Doue looking to bring his incredible club form on to the international stage, there's an embarrassment of riches at Didier Deschamps' disposal - and with that kind of quality running all throughout the squad, Les Bleus should be far too strong for their Group I opponents.

Reaching three successive World Cup finals would put France into an exclusive club, and with such recent experience of picking up the trophy, it's little wonder this world-class side are tipped to go all the way in the States.

Iraq

Iraq are preparing to participate in just their second World Cup, first taking part in 1986, and having lost all three of their matches last time out, the remit here is clear - pick up a first-ever World Cup point.

They enter Group I as clear underdogs against three strong sides, and having lost two of their last three competitive matches, they also aren't arriving in promising form - which won't help their case against such powerful frontlines. Iraq's first game of the 2026 World Cup will see them line up against Erling Haaland and Norway, and having kept just one clean sheet in seven games, they could be in for a rather bruising evening.

However, Iraq can take confidence from the likes of Saudi Arabia beating Argentina in 2022, or Costa Rica beating Brazil in 2014, because while they're clearly up against it in Group I, grit and determination can take a team a long way.

Norway

Playing in their first World Cup since 1998, Norway are finally looking like a nation ready to compete with the very best, with their storming qualification campaign giving a sneak peek into what Stale Solbakken's team can do when they click.

Players like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard bring elite experience and frightening firepower into a well-balanced squad, and having won 12 of their last 13 competitive matches - including a thumping 4-1 win over Italy in November - they arrive in North America with the confidence to attack Group I and set the tone for an unforgettable tournament.

A best-ever tournament finish is surely the aim for this exciting Norway squad, with two round-of-16 appearances (in 1938 & 1998) currently their benchmark, and with such fearless, renowned quality, they've got every chance of being this summer's dark horses.

Senegal

One of just two African nations to rank inside the world's top 20, Senegal complete an eye-catching Group I at the 2026 World Cup, with the 2025 AFCON finalists bringing real quality and a strong reputation to the table.

A quarter-final appearance in 2002 remains their standout achievement in World Cup football, but with the new enlarged format and ever-growing experience on the global stage, Senegal will carry hopes of upsetting the odds and breaking new ground this year.

Under the guidance of manager Pape Thiaw, an exciting squad featuring the likes of Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, and Nicolas Jackson has the quality to compete in Group I - with progression to the knockouts their ultimate target.

Ladbrokes' World Cup favourites France are also priced as front-runners to top Group I and reach the round of 32 with little fuss, despite being drawn into a thoroughly competitive group.

Norway come next at 11/4, with Erling Haaland's goalscoring ability alone enough to give them a chance in any match this summer, before third-favourites Senegal enter the group with odds of 7/1 to come out on top. Underdogs Iraq complete the set, with pre-tournament odds of 50/1 to shock everybody and win Group I.

Ladbrokes' 2026 World Cup betting guide provides all the tips you need to place calculated, well-informed wagers on Group I.

• France vs Senegal (Tuesday, 16 June - 20:00 BST)

• Iraq vs Norway (Tuesday, 16 June - 23:00 BST)

• France vs Iraq (Monday, 22 June - 22:00 BST)

• Norway vs Senegal (Tuesday, 23 June - 01:00 BST)

• Norway vs France (Friday, 26 June - 20:00 BST)

• Senegal vs Iraq (Friday, 26 June - 20:00 BST)

You can also find the full 2026 World Cup fixture schedule here.

Predicted standings:

• 1) France

• 2) Norway

• 3) Senegal

• 4) Iraq

Despite this group being one of the most competitive in the tournament, our predictions are aligning with Ladbrokes' latest odds, with favourites France at the top of our predicted Group I standings.

We're backing Norway to enjoy a strong group stage, finishing second ahead of an exciting Senegal side, with Iraq failing to pick up a single win at the bottom.

For more group previews ahead of this summer's tournament, check out our 2026 World Cup content hub.

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All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

View the latest World Cup 2026 odds.