FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I

All you need to know about FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I: the four qualifying nations, the full 6-match schedule, the venues, and the route to the knockout stage.

The 4 Teams in Group I

  • France
  • Senegal
  • Iraq
  • Norway

Group I — Full 6-Match Schedule

  1. Tue Jun 16, 15:00 local — France vs Senegal — Group I, Matchday 1 — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York / New Jersey)
  2. Tue Jun 16, 18:00 local — Iraq vs Norway — Group I, Matchday 1 — Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
  3. Mon Jun 22, 17:00 local — France vs Iraq — Group I, Matchday 2 — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
  4. Mon Jun 22, 20:00 local — Norway vs Senegal — Group I, Matchday 2 — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York / New Jersey)
  5. Fri Jun 26, 15:00 local — Norway vs France — Group I, Matchday 3 — Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
  6. Fri Jun 26, 15:00 local — Senegal vs Iraq — Group I, Matchday 3 — BMO Field, Toronto

Group I Venues

  • MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford)
  • Gillette Stadium (Foxborough)
  • Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
  • BMO Field (Toronto)
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Last updated: May 2026 — FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11, 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I features France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway. They contest the group stage from June 11 to June 27, 2026, with 6 matches total. The top two teams advance directly to the Round of 32, and the third-placed team may also advance if they finish among the 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.

Group I Squad Profile

Each team in Group I brings something different. The Group I opener and the closing matchday (June 27 for Groups A-L latest) are the most-watched moments. All 6 Group I matches will be played in the host cities listed above, spanning 2-3 time zones depending on the assigned venues.

How to Watch Group I Matches

Group I matches are broadcast worldwide by FIFA's official rights-holders. In the United States: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). In the United Kingdom: BBC and ITV (both free). In Canada: TSN and RDS. For your specific country, see our How to Watch in [Country] guides.

Group I Knockout Stage Path

Group I winners proceed to the Round of 32 on June 28-July 3. The exact Round of 32 opponent depends on the bracket structure published by FIFA, which keeps top-seeded groups apart until the later rounds. Use our Bracket Maker or Team Path Simulator to predict where France, Senegal, and the other Group I teams will meet next.

Group I Third-Place Qualification

One critical change in the 2026 format: eight of the twelve third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. This means a 3-point return in Group I could be enough to advance — or it could mean elimination, depending on how the other 11 third-placed teams perform. Our Best Third Place Calculator shows the live cutline.

Group I Predictions & Storylines

The favorite to win Group I, based on April 2026 FIFA rankings, is France. The most likely runner-up is Senegal. Iraq and Norway compete for third place and potential best-third advancement. Watch for surprise results — Group I contains a mix of established powers and rising sides, and World Cup history shows upsets happen in almost every tournament.

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