For france/">France to get back to the World Cup final for the third successive tournament, the path will be difficult, starting with a loaded Group J that features one of the world’s best strikers and some of the biggest names in the sport.
But there might be a positive to the draw for manager Didier Deschamps, who will be leading the team for the final time after 14 years in charge. Getting tested in the group stage should allow the team to find its right formula for the knockout round.
France’s first challenge will come in the opener against Senegal, a squad that will be full of players recognizable to any fan of European soccer. Former Liverpool standout Sadio Mane will be the leader of the front line. Senegal won the African Cup on the field this winter but the title was later stripped because the team left the field after a penalty was awarded to Morocco.
This biggest challenge literally and figuratively could come from Norway and striker Erling Haaland of Manchester City. The 6-foot-5 striker is a devastating combination of size, speed and physicality. He has scored 55 times in 49 international appearances. Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, will be a crucial creative piece to the offense that is one of the best in the tournament.
Rounding out the group is Iraq, which last appeared in the World Cup in 1986.
Want to know how good the France attack is? Next to Kylian Mbappe, one of the world’s biggest stars, is Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner who has led Paris Saint-Germain to consecutive Champions League titles. There’s also Michael Olise starting on the right wing, who had 15 goals and 19 assists for Bayern Munch, and reserve option Rayan Cherki of Manchester City, who finished second in the Premier League with 12 assists. But what will decide France’s fate is the defense anchored by Arsenal center back William Saliba. If the back line and goalkeeper Mike Maignan are on their game, another trip to the final could be in offing.
Key players: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba.
It’s a daunting task for Iraq to get out of a group with three teams potentially capable of making deep runs in the tournament. How do they manage to find a path? The formula of manager Graham Arnold in the team’s playoff win against Bolivia worked well — stay solid on defense and be opportunistic when chances come. Arnold joined the team late in its qualification run and brings experience from having led Australia to the round of 16 in 2022. Most of the squad plays domestically, but there is experience abroad sprinkled among the group. Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali lead the forward line and have been prolific scorers for the national team.
Key players: Amir Al Ammari, Ali Al Hamadi, Aymen Hussein.
Back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, this generation of Norwegian players gives hope for a deep run. Haaland is going to draw attention as one of the world’s top goal-scorers after winning his third Golden Boot in four Premier League seasons with Manchester City. Norway also has other striker options in Alexander Sorloth of Atletico Madrid and Jorgen Strand Larsen of Crystal Palace. The play of Odegaard will be crucial. The midfielder has struggled in the past two seasons with Arsenal. He brings needed creativity to help find Haaland in the right places. Defense is where Norway could be susceptible to attacks coming from France and Senegal. They’ll rely on Brentford center back Kristoffer Ajer to hold an experienced group together.
Key players: Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Kristoffer Ajer.
Mane, who had a remarkable Liverpool career before moving to Saudi Arabia, is the biggest name of the group. On defense, veteran Kalidou Koulibaly leads the back line with Eduoard Mendy, who was the keeper for Chelsea when it won the Champions League in 2021. Joining Mane in the attack are Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace midfielder Ismaila Sarr with a strong group of bench options. The biggest question is whether this team can play with cohesion rather than exist as a group that that relies on individual quality.
Key players: Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Kalidou Koulibaly.
- Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
- Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Iraq vs. Senegal, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Iraq vs. Senegal, BMO Field (Toronto)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group I: Preview, predictions, schedule
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