World Cup preview: Group I – Can France reach another final? | OneFootball

The World Cup is almost upon us. From June 11 til July 19, 48 countries will fight to become World Champions in the tournament held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The teams in the tournament have already been drawn into 12 separate groups. Group I contains France, Iraq, Norway and Senegal.

Here’s a preview of the teams hoping to make it out of the group:

France

France have been in imperious form in recent major tournaments. They won the 2018 World Cup, made it to the 2022 final and were semi-finalists at the last Euros.

They are the number one ranked FIFA team in the world and go into this tournament as favourites. If anything, their squad is better than in recent years.

They have Warren Zaire-Emery, Maghnes Akliouche, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue all making World Cup debuts.

Player to watch: Kylian Mbappe. He loves the world stage and has been brilliant at every major tournament and for Real Madrid since joining. If France go far, he will no doubt play a pivotal role.

Prediction: Tournament winners

Iraq

Iraq have only ever played at one World Cup before. Coincidentally the last time Iraq qualified, in 1986, Mexico were also the host nation.

They lost all three games that year and will be hoping for a better showing this year, but they are in what is arguably the group of death.

With France, Norway and Senegal their opponents, it is difficult to see them picking up a win.

Player to watch: Jalan Hassan. Iraq’s goalkeeper kept 10 clean sheets in qualification, the joint-most of any goalkeeper in the Asian confederation.

Stage of elimination prediction: Group stage

Norway

Norway will be an interesting side to watch in this tournament. Tipped by many as dark horses, they boast two of the very best players in the Premier League in Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

Oscar Bobb is also in the squad, as well as Alexander Sorloth. Norway’s last World Cup was in 1998, before Haaland was even born.

Considered one of the best strikers in the world, there’s no doubt Haaland will be ready to make his mark.

Player to watch: Erling Haaland. He has 162 goals in 198 appearances for Manchester City and 55 goals in 49 appearances for Norway. Not much more needs to be said.

Stage of elimination prediction: Quarter-finals

Senegal

Senegal are AFCON 2026 finalists, and were the winners of the competition before the result was overturned and Morocco were awarded the trophy following an incredibly controversial final.

Given those events, one would assume Senegal will go into the World Cup with a major point to prove. They have no shortage of talent in the squad, with players like Idrissa Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy.

Mane missed the last World Cup because of injury, and at the age of 34, this could well be his last chance at the tournament.

Player to watch: Sadio Mane. The Al Nassr forward remains Senegal’s talisman and has enjoyed a prolific season in Saudi Arabia. He has 10 goals and six assists in the league.

Stage of elimination prediction: Last 16