World Cup: Group I Preview

France – Les Bleus are the gold standard of international football: winners in 2018, runners-up in 2022, and the current favorites in 2026. Even casual football fans will know almost every name in this squad. The backbone of the team is pretty much the same as in 2022 with the major additions of Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise who have thrust their names among the world’s best this season. With Mbappé and Dembélé leading the way and Kanté and Saliba protecting the back, this team should see the semifinals as the bare minimum.

Player to watch: Bradley Barcola
Ceiling: Champions

Iraq – The Lions of Mesopotamia return to the World Cup after a 40-year wait. They booked their place in the most dramatic way possible, a 107th minute penalty from their talisman Amir Al-Ammari against UAE. Ranked 57th in the world, the Iraqi team will be huge underdogs in this group of giants. They scored one goal in 1986, and it was celebrated epically; I expect any Iraq goal to get the same reaction in this World Cup. Ali Jassim is a player to keep an eye on; the 22-year-old recorded two goals and four assists in Asian qualifying.

Player to watch: Ali Jassim
Ceiling: Round of 32

Senegal – Sadio Mané and Senegal come into their third straight World Cup with as much to prove as anybody. The stripping of their African Cup of Nations win has caused major controversy across Africa and this team’s blood is likely still boiling over it. Regardless of the drama, this team is incredible. They won seven and drew three of their ten qualifying games as they won Group B over DR Congo. The Lions of Teranga boast loads of European talent like Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr. The midfield behind them is full of workhorses like Pape Gueye and Habib Diarra. There’s so much to love about this team. Center back Pathé Ciss is one of the smoothest defenders you’ll see on the ball; he was crucial to Rayo Vallecano’s Conference League final run.

Player to watch: Habib Diarra
Ceiling: Semifinals

Norway – The Norwegians put together a frightening run to the World Cup, winning all eight of their qualifiers while scoring 37 goals. They’re the reason Italy was forced to go the playoff route where they ultimately failed. You know who to watch out for, Erling Haaland; the Manchester City striker scored 16 goals in those eight qualifiers. That output doubles any other player’s goal total. Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard was also a standout in qualifying with more assists than any other player in European qualifying. 21-year-old Andreas Schjelderup will look to follow Ødegaard’s example after an incredible season where he had 12 goal contributions for a Benfica team that went undefeated in league play. Nobody will want to play Landslaget for their trajectory alone; they’ve climbed 50 spots in the FIFA rankings over the last decade and don’t show any signs of stopping there. Norway will be a serious threat to take second or even first in this group.

Player to watch: Andreas Schjelderup
Ceiling: Semifinals