Check out our other previews: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
France
Best result: Champions, 17 appearances, No.1 in World Ranking
This will be Les Bleus’ 17th appearance at the world's greatest sports spectacle. As one of the most dominant forces across the world stage over the last three decades, France have featured in the last eight editions, where they have gone all the way to win the trophy twice, in 1998 and 2018.
France reclaimed the number one spot in the FIFA Men's World Ranking following an impressive March, where friendly victories over Brazil and Colombia allowed them to return to the top for the first time since September 2018.
Path to the Finals
France never suffered a single defeat against Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan during their six qualifying fixtures between September and November last year. Iceland were the only side to frustrate a potent French side, holding their illustrious opponents to a 2-2 draw in Reykjavik.
Didier Deschamps' men found the back of the net 16 times while their defence looked equally impressive, conceding only four goals.
Key player
While coach Deschamps is surrounded by a core of world-class star players, there is hardly any doubt that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe remains France's absolute key player and talisman as captain of Les Bleus.
His explosive pace and clinical finishing make him the central figure of the French attacking options, and as team captain, he has 12 World Cup goals already under his belt, which puts him in touching distance of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16.
Editor’s view
Enjoying the luxury of boasting the greatest pool of talent in international football, immense experience on the grandest stage, and a proven record to deliver at decisive moments, Les Bleus will once again prove a force to be reckoned with.
The quality in depth has reached a level where France could name two lineups capable of challenging for the trophy, such are the options available to Deschamps. Real Madrid superstar Mbappe will lead a seemingly unstoppable forward unit, backed up by the likes of Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
However, for all their attacking finesse, coach Didier Deschamps often places as much emphasis on organisation, structure, and cohesion as individual efforts, which has worked wonders for them in the past.
Flashscore prediction
Given their immense squad depth, a multitude of attacking options, proven tournament pedigree under the reign of Didier Deschamps, and hunger to avenge their defeat against Argentina in the 2022 final, France are expected to dominate their group and mount a deep championship run.
Deschamps’s men will head into the tournament as favourites to claim the title alongside Spain and Argentina, and most experts back them to reach at least the semi-finals or secure a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.
Fixtures
16 June, 21.00 CET: France v Senegal - MetLife Stadium
22 June, 23.00 CET: France v Iraq - Lincoln Financial Field
26 June, 21.00 CET: Norway v France - Gillette Stadium
Senegal
Best result: Quarter-final, four appearances, 14th in World Rankings
Senegal have qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times (2002, 2018, 2022, and 2026). Football lovers will undoubtedly reminisce about their World Cup debut in 2002 in Japan/Korea when they pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the tournament by defeating reigning champions France 1-0.
That win initiated a fairytale campaign for the Africans, carrying them all the way to the quarter-finals, which remains their best result.
Path to the Finals
Senegal qualified directly for the World Cup by enjoying an undefeated record at the top of Group B in the CAF (African) qualifiers.
Managed by coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal sealed Africa's final automatic spot by dominating their group against DR Congo, Sudan, Togo, Mauritania, and South Sudan with an impressive record of seven wins and three draws, which earned them 24 points and a staggering +19 goal difference.
The Lions of Teranga finally secured their World Cup ticket by mauling Mauritania 4-0 on the final matchday, as Sadio Mane led the charge by bagging a brace.
Key player
As the nation's all-time leading goalscorer with 53 goals, nobody within the Senegal squad holds the same status as Mane as the undisputed central figure for the Africans at the World Cup.
Blessed with amazing pace, a clinical eye for being at the right place at the right time, and sheer determination, the 34-year-old Mane is still the man who carries the hopes of Senegal on his shoulders, even though he is supposedly approaching the end of his impressive career.
Mane’s inspirational leadership has been instrumental in leading his country to a historic AFCON triumph (2021), and the former Liverpool attacking ace is presumably aching to represent his country at the World Cup after an injury ruled him out shortly before the start of the tournament four years ago.
Editor’s view
Senegal head into the tournament with the luxury of having a squad absolutely stacked with talents making a name for themselves in Europe's most competitive leagues, which justifies their status as a massive wildcard capable of upsetting some of the traditional European and South American giants.
Head coach Pape Thiaw, who was a vital player during Senegal’s legendary 2002 World Cup quarter-final run, has built an incredibly resilient tactical identity based around furiously intense high-pressure on the ball, lightning-fast counter-attacks exploiting open spaces, and the mentality of a squad capable of competing against the best.
Flashscore prediction
Being stripped of the AFCON title by the CAF Appeal Board after otherwise winning the final against Morocco has allegedly fostered a "us against the world" mentality within the squad, which could prove fatal for their opponents at the World Cup and carry Pape Thiaw's team far in the tournament.
Boosted by the presence of world-class veterans like Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Senegal - who have only suffered two defeats since Thiaw took over in December 2024 - could take on the role of dark horse capable of reaching the quarter-finals or even the semi-finals at the World Cup.
Fixtures
16 June, 21.00 CET: France v Senegal - MetLife Stadium
23 June, 02.00 CET: Norway v Senegal - MetLife Stadium
26 June, 21.00 CET: Senegal v Iraq - BMO Field
Iraq
Best result: Group stage, two appearances, 57th in World Ranking
For the second time in their history, Iraq are among the participating nations at a World Cup after they also managed to qualify in 1986. However, they will undoubtedly be determined to improve themselves from their last campaign at the World Cup, when they ended up in last place in their group with zero points, scoring only one goal in slim defeats against Belgium, Mexico, and Paraguay.
Path to the finals
Nicknamed the Lions of Mesopotamia, Iraq became the 48th and final team to seal its progress to the expanded tournament in North America.
As a neutral observer, one can’t help but hope that Iraq makes the most of their rare access to the tournament, as their ticket to the World Cup came at the price of one of the longest and most gruelling qualifying campaigns ever undertaken by a national football team. Led now by Australian head coach Graham Arnold, they endured an exhausting 28-month, 21-match qualification campaign which came to a successful conclusion when they defeated Bolivia 2-1 in the final match of the intercontinental play-off tournament at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico.
Key player
Iraqi football supporters will no doubt look to striker Aymen Hussein to provide most of the magic for the Middle East nation heading into the World Cup.
Under the reign of coach Arnold, Hussein has remained their most lethal weapon upfront, finding the back of the net on eight occasions during the Asian qualifiers, while he also netted the decisive match-winner in Iraq's historic 2-1 playoff victory against Bolivia.
Standing at 1.89m (over 6'2"), Hussein has developed impressive timing to connect powerfully with crosses and set pieces to win aerial duels. His strength in the air also allows him to hold up the ball and bring fast wingers like Marko Farji into the game, which is crucial to Iraq's tactical system.
Editor’s view
Iraq rely on a compact defensive block, which consistently frustrated opponents and kept the damage to a minimum with them conceding just 0.8 goals per game during their qualifying campaign. Going up against elite European and African powerhouses in Group I, Iraq will be considered the team to beat by their opponents, but having survived a gruelling 21-match qualification campaign, they have proven their ability to thrive in adversity.
Flashscore prediction
Just reaching the Round of 32 would undoubtedly be a historic milestone for Iraqi football, especially on the back of having been drawn in the Group of Death with three very tricky opponents to say the least.
It's unlikely, but should they be able to make it into the single-elimination knockout phase, tactical discipline and momentum could, in theory, see them progress further in the tournament, but judging from their lack of quality in depth and a lower FIFA ranking, a deep run past European and South American heavyweights is hard to foresee.
Fixtures
17 June, 00.00 CET: Iraq v Norway, Gillette Stadium
22 June, 23.00 CET: France v Iraq - Lincoln Financial Field
26 June, 21.00 CET: Senegal v Iraq - BMO Field
Norway
Best result: Round of 16, four appearances, 31st in World Ranking
Before this year, Norway had qualified for three FIFA World Cups (1938, 1994, and 1998) and reached the Round of 16 in both 1938 and 1998.
The most iconic moment in Norwegian national team football dates back to 1998 when they defeated reigning champions Brazil 2–1 in the group stage with late goals from Tore André Flo and Kjetil Rekdal. They advanced to the Round of 16 but were knocked out by Italy.
Path to the finals
Managed by head coach Stale Solbakken, Norway dominated a qualifying group where heavyweight contenders Italy were considered to be the favourites, while Israel, Estonia, and Moldova made up the rest of it.
The four-time World Cup winners were virtually humiliated by the unsung Scandinavians home and away, with Norway enjoying a 3-0 home victory and a decisive 4-1 victory at the San Siro in Milan, and they also recorded a record-breaking 11-1 victory over Moldova.
Their historic achievement ended a 28-year drought to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since France 1998.
Key Player
Erling Haaland is Norway's undisputed key player, and the Manchester City superstar forward will enter his first-ever major international tournament high on confidence as the absolute talisman of the team, as he scored no less than 16 goals in eight qualifying matches to end a 28-year drought from the World Cup.
Even when the Norwegian giant doesn’t manage to get on the scoreboard, his mere physical presence forces opponents to double-team him, which gives vital space for Norway's other dynamic attackers to exploit.
Editor’s view
Norway's national team has had the Golden Generation tag quite rightly pinned to them as they have made a historic return to the tournament after a 28-year absence. Head coach Stale Solbakken has built a strong team defined by fluid attacking football and individual star power, which cruised through their qualification campaign, scoring a staggering 37 goals across eight matches.
But there are doubts as to whether their rearguard, organised by Kristoffer Ajer and Leo Ostigard, can resist the persistent pressure of the best nations in the world if Norway manage to get past the group stage.
Flashscore prediction
After years of inconsistency on the international stage, Norway enter the tournament with a strong belief in themselves after sending a clear message to the rest of the world with 37 goals in eight qualifiers.
Their lack of recent deep tournament experience could spell trouble for Solbakken’s men, as they haven’t dealt with the pressure of elimination matches on the global stage, but they still seem to have the quality in depth that could carry them all the way to the quarter-final.
Fixtures
17 June, 00.00 CET: Iraq v Norway, Gillette Stadium
23 June, 02.00 CET: Norway v Senegal - MetLife Stadium
26 June, 21.00 CET: Norway v France - Gillette Stadium