Group I at the 2026 World Cup: Teams, records, stats to know

France is among teams featured in Group I. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The 2026 World Cup group stage is divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

Here are key facts about Group I.


Group I

France (FRA)

  • Nicknames(s): Les Blues (The Blues)

  • FIFA World Ranking: 3rd

  • Appearances: 17 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)

  • Active Consecutive Appearances: Eight(1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)

  • Best Finish: Champions (1998, 2018)

  • Record (W-D-L): 40-14-20

  • Top Scorer: Kylian Mbappé, 14

  • Top Scorer in Single Tournament: Just Fontaine, 13 (1958)

  • Oldest Scorer: Olivier Giroud, 36 years, 71 days (2022 vs. England)

  • Youngest Scorer: Kylian Mbappé, 19 years, 183 days (2018 vs. Peru)

  • Fact: France are seeking to become the third men's team to reach the World Cup final in three consecutive tournaments, the first since Brazil in 1994-2002.

Senegal (SEN)

  • Nicknames(s): Lions of Teranga

  • FIFA World Ranking: 15th

  • Appearances: Four (2002, 2018, 2022, 2026)

  • Active Consecutive Appearances: Three (2018, 2022, 2026)

  • Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2002)

  • Record (W-D-L): 5-3-5

  • Top Scorer: Papa Bouba Diop, three

  • Top Scorer in Single Tournament: Papa Bouba Diop, three (2002)

  • Oldest Scorer: Kalidou Koulibaly, 31 years, 162 days (2022 vs. Ecuador)

  • Youngest Scorer: Ibrahim Mbaye, 18 years, 143 days (2026 vs. France)

  • Fact: In 2002 Senegal became the first ever team to beat the reigning World Cup champion (France) in their first-ever World Cup match.

Norway (NOR)

  • Nicknames(s): Røde, Hvite, Blå (Red, White and Blue)

  • FIFA World Ranking: 31st

  • Appearances: Four (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026)

  • Active Consecutive Appearances: One (2026)

  • Best Finish: Round of 16 (1998)

  • Record (W-D-L): 3-3-3

  • Top Scorer: Erling Haaland and Kjetil Rekdal, two

  • Top Scorer in Single Tournament: Erling Haaland (2026), two

  • Oldest Scorer: Kjetil Rekdal, 29 years, 229 days (1998 vs. Brazil)

  • Youngest Scorer: Tore Andre Flo, 25 years, eight days (1998 vs. Brazil)

  • Fact: Norway was one of four teams out of the entire field to maintain a perfect record through the qualifying stage, led by Erling Haaland's 16 goals.

Iraq (IRQ)

  • Nicknames(s): Lions of Mesopotamia

  • FIFA World Ranking: 57th

  • Appearances: Two (1986, 2026)

  • Active Consecutive Appearances: One (2026)

  • Best Finish: Group stage (1986)

  • Record (W-D-L): 0-0-4

  • Top Scorer: Aymen Hussein and Ahmed Radhi, one

  • Top Scorer in Single Tournament: Aymen Hussein (2026) and Ahmed Radhi (1986) with one

  • Oldest Scorer: Aymen Hussein, 30 years, 86 days (2026 vs. Norway)

  • Youngest Scorer: Ahmed Radhi, 22 years, 79 days (1986 vs. Belgium)

  • Fact: After overseeing a record 72 international games for Australia, Graham Arnold is poised to become one of the few coaches to guide two different nations from the same confederation to a World Cup.

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