World Cup 2026 Group I draw: Match schedule and fixtures for France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff 2 winner

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is closer than ever, and the final preparations are underway for the biggest World Cup in history.

The tournament will quite literally be bigger than ever before, as the field has expanded from 32 teams in 2022 to 48 in 2026. The knockout stage is now made up of 32 teams, and the tournament as a whole features more than 100 matches.

Six of those matches will take place inside Group I, which is comprised of France, Senegal, Norway and a yet-to-be-determined fourth team. The group will not lack for star power, as global household names such as France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland will take center stage.

Here’s a complete guide to Group I’s four teams and match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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World Cup Group I scheduleGroup I tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.France000000002.Senegal000000003.Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname000000004.Norway00000000Group I fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationTue, Jun. 163 p.m.France vs. SenegalMetLife Stadium, New York/NJTue, Jun. 166 p.m.FIFA Playoff 2 Winner vs. NorwayGillette Stadium, FoxboroughMon, Jun. 225 p.m.France vs. Playoff 2 WinnerLincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaMon, Jun. 228 p.m.Norway vs. SenegalMetLife Stadium, New York/NJFri, Jun. 263 p.m.Norway vs. FranceGillette Stadium, FoxboroughFri, Jun. 263 p.m.Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 WinnerBMO Field, Toronto

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World Cup Group I teamsFrance

France’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup came up agonizingly short in Qatar, when they lost to Lionel Messi’s Argentina on penalties after a final for the ages. Les Bleus were victorious at Russia 2018, Kylian Mbappe’s breakout tournament on the biggest stage that concluded with a 4-2 final win over Croatia.

Didier Deschamps, France’s World Cup-winning captain in 1998, is back once again as coach for his fourth World Cup — a run that stretches back to 2014 and will end with this tournament. Once again, Deschamps’ natural pragmatism will be offset by a vibrant collection of attacking game-changers to call upon. Mbappe might have lost his old ally Antoine Griezmann, who retired from international football in September 2024, but he now has the likes of Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele supporting him in his quest for glory.

During qualification, France breezed to the top spot in their section with five wins out of six to finish six points clear of second-place Ukraine. Deschamps has announced he will not extend his contract when it expires after the 2026 World Cup, so can he sign off a historic tenure on top?

Current FIFA world ranking: 3rdRegional ranking: 2nd (UEFA)World Cup titles: 2 (1998, 2018)World Cup appearances (last): 16 (Qatar 2022)How qualified: UEFA Group D winners: 5W-0L-1DCoach: Didier Deschamps (France) since July 2012Key player(s): Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), William Saliba (Arsenal)Senegal

Senegal will once again make their presence felt on football’s biggest platform. They sealed top spot in Group B of African qualifying, finishing the job in style with a commanding 4-0 win over Mauritania that pushed them clear of DR Congo.

Now bound for Canada, Mexico and the USA, Senegal will be aiming to at least recreate the magic of their unforgettable 2002 debut, a campaign that included their famous upset of reigning champions France and a remarkable run to the quarterfinals.

And if there’s anyone who understands the spirit of that golden adventure, it’s head coach Pape Thiaw. A member of that famous 2002 squad, Thiaw delivered the assist for Henri Camara’s extra-time winner against Sweden in the Round of 16, and he has brought that same belief to the touchline.

Since stepping into the role, he has carried on Aliou Cisse’s work without missing a beat, stretching Senegal’s impressive unbeaten run, guiding them smoothly through qualifying, and overseeing standout results such as the 3-1 triumph over England in a June 2025 friendly.

With history behind them and momentum on their side, the Lions of Teranga head to North America ready to roar again.

Current FIFA world ranking: 19Regional ranking: 2nd (CAF)World Cup titles: 0World Cup appearances (last): 3 (Qatar 2022)How qualified: CAF Group B winners: W7-L0-D3Coach: Pape Thiaw (Senegal) since December 2024Key player(s): Pape Matar Sarr (Spurs), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Path 2 Winner

The second pathway of the intercontinental playoffs, or FIFA Play-Off Tournament, sees Bolivia face Suriname in the semifinal. The winners will meet Iraq in the final for the right to earn a World Cup place.

Norway

After a nearly three-decade absence from the World Cup, Norway are back with arguably the most gifted generation of talent the Scandinavian nation has ever had.

Erling Haaland, whose father Alfie was part of the Norway squad for USA ’94, is the talisman and, with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield, hopes are high that Stale Solbakken’s team can make an impression in North America.

Haaland scored an astonishing 16 goals during Norway’s eight qualification matches, putting him well clear at the top of the UEFA standings. Harry Kane, Memphis Depay and Marko Arnautovic were the next most prolific players with eight goals. Three of Haaland’s haul in a perfect Group I campaign came in statement home and away wins over Italy.

Haaland’s father’s generation had the previous claim to being Norway’s greatest as they reached back-to-back tournaments in 1994 and 1998. Egil Olsen’s side claimed a famous win over eventual finalists Brazil at France ’98 before bowing out to Italy in the Round of 16. Current boss Solbakken played in three of their four games at the tournament.

Current FIFA world ranking: 29Regional ranking: 15th (UEFA)World Cup titles: 0World Cup appearances (last): 3 (France 1998)How qualified: UEFA Group I winners: 8W-0L-0DCoach: Stale Solbakken (Norway) since December 2020Key player(s): Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham)

MORE: Group I is ‘Group of Death’ in 2026 World Cup

World Cup Group I odds and predictions

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F
Group G | Group H | Group J | Group K | Group L

World Cup 2026 bracket for Group I