World Cup Group I permutations: What do France, Norway need to qualify?

Group I, nicknamed the group of death, is finely poised between Norway and France. Both teams are level on six points each after wins over Senegal and Iraq in their opening two games respectively.

The knockout stages are confirmed for the top two seeds, while the bottom two winless nations are in a do-or-die scenario as they face each other on the final day.

We run through the permutations for each nation to qualify for the World Cup last 32, as all four sides prepare for their final matches on Monday, 26 June..

What Norway need to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages

As it stands, Norway sit second in Group I after their 3-2 win over Senegal in their latest World Cup fixture.

Spearheaded by Erling Haaland in his tournament debut, the Vikings have been a goalscoring machine in their opening two games. The Manchester City striker scored a first-half brace in the 4-1 win over Iraq, before netting a double in the second period in the 3-2 win against Senegal in Norway’s second outing.

They are behind France in the standings, who have a goal difference of +5 compared to their +4. However, Norway are one of the best scoring sides, with seven to their name so far after two rounds.

They will be glad to have secured progression before their toughest test yet, as France await in the final group game.

What France need to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages

France are the current title favourites after back-to-back wins over Senegal and Iraq.

Despite starting slow against the former, France picked up pace after a goalless first period. Kylian Mbappe fired two fantastic strikes on either side of a Bradley Barcola finish to exact revenge against Senegal for their 2002 World Cup opener loss. They kept Iraq quiet in the second game, winning 3-0.

Les Bleus sit level on six points with Norway, having scored a goal fewer, but top the group thanks to their superior goal difference.

They have already qualified for the knockouts. After toothless displays by Senegal and Iraq, Norway will be their most difficult group fixture on the final day. The top spot is for the taking in Group I.

What Senegal need to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages

Senegal occupy third position in Group I, having conceded one goal fewer than bottom-placed Iraq.

After their AFCON title mishap, Senegal were expected to rebound with a tough showing against France. They managed to hold the two-time World Cup winners until the half-time whistle, but quickly succumbed after the restart. They were beaten 3-2 by a fiery Norway attack in the second game.

Their consolation goals prove they still have it in them score against big teams. Iraq is arguably the easiest team to beat on paper in the group of death.

Pape Thiaw’s men are in a precarious position. They need to win big in the final game in order to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

What Iraq need to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages

In the group of death, they was never any doubt as to who the underdogs were. Iraq fell 4-1 to Norway in their World Cup opener, on the receiving end of Erling Haaland’s heroics.

The Lions of Mesopotamia were then put to the sword by another tournament headline-maker in Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid marksman’s brace helped France cruise to a 3-0 victory in rain-soaked Philadelphia.

Iraq are still in the running for qualification to the knockouts. They cannot be ruled out yet, especially with a head-to-head against Senegal to come on the final day.

Graham Arnold’s side will have to beat Senegal on the final day to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

Who will they face in the last 32?

In the round of 32, the Group I winner (France or Norway) will face a third-placed team from one of five groups, while the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group E (Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador).