World Cup Group I: Teams, Fixtures, Predictions & Odds

There is always a ‘Group of Death' at the FIFA World Cup, and the general consensus this year is that it is Group I.

France, Senegal and Norway are three teams all capable of going deep into the tournament this year, while Iraq should not be underestimated. While the addition of eight third-place qualifiers makes this group less brutal, we could still be in for a shock or two.

Below, Football Whispers breaks down Group I in full, including fixtures, latest odds and predictions.

World Cup 2026 Group I winner odds

• France – 1/2
• Norway – 5/2
• Senegal – 7/1
• Iraq – 40/1

Despite being the winners in 2018 and the runners-up in 2022, the bookies are not entirely convinced by France in 2026. Yes, they are still the favourites to win Group I, but Norway aren't too far behind in the betting stakes.

Senegal are considered outsiders at 7/1, while Iraq have effectively been given no chance at all.

World Cup 2026 Group I qualification odds

• France – 1/100
• Norway – 1/9
• Senegal – 2/5
• Iraq – 10/3

The bookies may not be overly convinced of France winning Group I, but they certainly believe they will qualify. The extra qualification spot helps here, as these odds would look wildly different if it were only the top two sides that qualified for the knockout stages.

Can Iraq beat any of the big three in Group I? Shocks do happen at World Cups, and even just one win would give them a chance of qualification.

World Cup 2026 Group I fixtures: Match-by-match schedule

Gameweek 1

• France vs Senegal
  • France: 2/5
  • Draw: 17/5
  • Senegal: 6/1
    
• Iraq vs Norway
  • Iraq: 9/1
  • Draw: 9/2
  • Norway: 1/4

Gameweek 2

• France vs Iraq
  • France: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Iraq: TBC
    
• Norway vs Senegal
  • Norway: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Senegal: TBC

Gameweek 3

• Norway vs France
  • Norway: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • France: TBC
    
• Senegal vs Iraq
  • Senegal: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Iraq: TBC

2026 World Cup Group I predictions and betting angles

France

The Didier Deschamps era is nearing its conclusion, with the 57-year-old set to walk away from the national team at the end of the World Cup.

While Deschamps would love to walk away with another World Cup triumph, their performances at Euro 2024 have left many people wondering whether he has gone on for one tournament too many.

There is no doubt that there is still enough quality within this French squad to challenge for the World Cup this summer, though. Kylian Mbappe seems to come alive in World Cups (12 goals in 14 WC apps) while the supporting cast of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Marcus Thuram are all matchwinners in their own right.

Deschamps is also stacked with excellent defensive options, including Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba, so there is little excuse for them not to go deep this summer.

Norway

Norway are considered the team most likely to challenge France for top spot in Group I in what is set to be their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.

Their impeccable qualifying campaign, which saw them pick up eight wins from eight matches, has left many experts labelling them as the tournament's dark horses'. Italy, who have failed to qualify, will be rueing their luck at being placed in the same qualifying group as the Norwegians, and the rest of Group I will be well aware of their strengths.

Erling Haaland is the obvious place to start. The Man City striker netted 16 times during qualifying, which was 11 more than anyone else in Norway's qualifying group. Alexander Sorloth is another reliable source of goals, while Martin Odegaard is the chief creator.

Dark horses so often end up coming up short in tournament football, but it's hard to imagine this Norway team failing to get out of the group.

Senegal

The last time Senegal were placed in the same World Cup group as France, they not only defeated Les Bleus but also helped to dump them out of the group stages.

Pape Thiaw will be looking to do exactly the same 24 years later with a new group of players who are ready to go toe-to-toe with the world's best once again.

What perhaps gives the current Senegalese crop extra motivation this time around is what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. After seemingly beating Morocco 1-0 in the final, they were later stripped of the title due to their protests over a late penalty that was given against them.

Their behaviour in that match could also turn them into the pantomime villains at the World Cup, which only adds more intrigue to Group I.

Iraq

There is no getting away from it – Iraq will be gutted with the three teams they have been paired with for what will be just their second-ever World Cup finals appearance.

In almost any other group, they'd have been tricky customers as the fourth-ranked team, and while they could still give Norway, France and Senegal some headaches, they will go into every match as major underdogs.

Iraq do deserve some respect, though. After all, they beat Bolivia in a cross-continent playoff to reach the finals and have lost just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Final Group I prediction

1. Norway
2. France
3. Senegal
4. Iraq

Group I best bets

The best Group I bet has to be Norway to win the group at 5/2. They have the deadliest finisher in world football at the top of the pitch and have not lost a competitive match since October 2024.

Before you place your bet, make sure to check out the best World Cup 2026 betting offers for this summer's tournament.