France will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament favourites, but Didier Deschamps' side have been handed a daunting challenge in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway and Iraq.
The 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up boast one of the strongest squads in international football, yet their route to the knockout stages is far from straightforward.
Led by captain Kylian Mbappe, France are aiming to secure a third World Cup title. However, a group featuring African heavyweights Senegal and a resurgent Norway side inspired by Erling Haaland promises to test Les Bleus from the outset.
France head into what is expected to be Didier Deschamps' final tournament in charge. The veteran coach, who has led the national team since 2012, is widely tipped to be succeeded by former France legend Zinedine Zidane after the World Cup.
Despite France's status as the world's top-ranked team, Deschamps is taking nothing for granted.
"It is one of the most difficult groups, if not the hardest," Deschamps said.
France's opening match carries extra significance as they face Senegal on June 16 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The fixture brings back memories of the 2002 World Cup, when Senegal stunned the defending champions 1-0 before France crashed out in the group stage without scoring a single goal.
Deschamps acknowledged the close footballing ties between the two nations.
"We have a fraternal relationship with Senegal because there are a lot of dual national players who have played for French clubs and know the French players," he explained.
France possess arguably the most feared attacking unit in world football.
Mbappe arrives after finishing as LaLiga's top scorer with Real Madrid, while Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele adds further firepower. Emerging talents Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki provide additional creativity and attacking depth.
The abundance of attacking quality makes France one of the strongest contenders to lift the trophy.
Senegal remain one of Africa's leading football nations and will believe they can once again make a deep World Cup run.
Their famous victory over France in 2002 helped launch a historic journey to the quarter-finals, and the Lions of Teranga will be eager to create more history this summer.
The team's preparations have been overshadowed by controversy following January's Africa Cup of Nations final victory over Morocco. After winning 1-0 following extra time, Senegal were later stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football due to events surrounding the match. The decision is currently under appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Veteran forward Sadio Mane, now 34, continues to lead the squad after missing the previous World Cup through injury.
Norway are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and are appearing in their first major international tournament since Euro 2000.
Their resurgence under coach Stale Solbakken has been driven by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football.
Haaland scored an incredible 16 goals in eight qualifying matches, helping Norway secure impressive victories over Italy home and away.
Supported by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, Norway possess enough quality to challenge any opponent.
"We believe that we have a strong squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time," Solbakken said.
The highly anticipated clash between Mbappe and Haaland is expected to be one of the standout matches of the group stage when France and Norway meet in Boston.
While France, Senegal and Norway are battling for qualification, Iraq have already achieved something remarkable by reaching their first World Cup since 1986.
Their journey included a demanding 21-match qualification campaign and a dramatic intercontinental play-off victory over Bolivia in Mexico.
Head coach Graham Arnold is embracing the underdog label.
"We qualified last. If you went through every individual player and every team, and the transfer price of all the players, we would probably be the lowest ranked at the World Cup," Arnold said.
"But it's a World Cup. Anything can happen."
With three ambitious nations and one fearless outsider, Group I is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable groups at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
