Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway. France are among the tournament favourites, Norway finally bring their superstar to a World Cup, Senegal are an African powerhouse and Iraq are the disciplined unknown.
Key stats of each team
Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.
France last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 2.5 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| xG for/game | 2.3 |
| xG against/game | 0.7 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 91% |
| Both teams score | 73% |
| Corners/game | 6.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.4 |
| Shots on target/game | 6.6 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 91% of games
- a strong attack — 2.5 goals per game
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 73% of games
- works the flanks — 6.1 corners per game
- creates real chances: 2.3 xG per game
Senegal last 12 months · 13 matches| Goals for/game | 2.4 |
| Goals against/game | 0.8 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 54% |
| Both teams score | 31% |
| Corners/game | 5.0 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.1 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.3 |
- a tight defence — just 0.8 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.4 goals per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 31%
- disciplined — only 1.1 yellows per game
Iraq last 12 months · 15 matches| Goals for/game | 1.1 |
| Goals against/game | 1.0 |
| xG for/game | 0.8 |
| xG against/game | 1.1 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 33% |
| Both teams score | 47% |
| Corners/game | 4.0 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.4 |
| Shots on target/game | 3.1 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 67% of games
- blunt in attack — only 1.1 goals per game
- few corners — 4.0 per game
- toothless: just 0.8 xG per game
Norway last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 3.2 |
| Goals against/game | 0.8 |
| xG for/game | 2.4 |
| xG against/game | 0.6 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 64% |
| Both teams score | 73% |
| Corners/game | 5.6 |
| Yellow cards/game | 0.4 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.6 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 64% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.8 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 3.2 goals per game
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 73% of games
- disciplined — only 0.4 yellows per game
- creates real chances: 2.4 xG per game
- out-finishing their xG
Form going in
France — recent form WWWLWW| 16.06.26 | France3:1xG 1.9 : 0.5Senegal | World Cup 2026 |
| 08.06.26 | France3:1xG 2.8 : 1.0Northern Ireland | International Match |
| 04.06.26 | France1:2xG 0.9 : 1.3Ivory Coast | Friendlies |
| 29.03.26 | Colombia1:3France | International Match |
| 26.03.26 | Brazil1:2France | Friendlies |
| 16.11.25 | Azerbaijan1:3xG 0.1 : 2.7France | Nations League |
Senegal — recent form WWLDL| 16.06.26 | France3:1xG 1.9 : 0.5Senegal | World Cup 2026 |
| 10.06.26 | Saudi Arabia0:0xG 1.1 : 0.3Senegal | International Match |
| 31.05.26 | USA3:2xG 2.3 : 1.7Senegal | Friendlies |
| 31.03.26 | Senegal3:1Gambia | International Match |
| 28.03.26 | Senegal2:0Peru | International Match |
Who goes through
France should win the group comfortably. The second spot is a genuine three-way fight: Norway's firepower, Senegal's all-round strength and Iraq's organisation. Norway's goal threat just edges Senegal for me.
Dark horse & possible upset
Norway are the dark horse of the whole tournament, not just this group — with their forward in form they can beat anyone. The upset to fear is Senegal or Norway actually pushing France for first.
Squads: call-ups & shocks
France's Didier Deschamps sprang several surprises. Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga was the headline omission after a difficult season, and Antoine Griezmann, Randal Kolo Muani, Pierre Kalulu and Matteo Guendouzi also missed out. The bolder calls were Crystal Palace pair Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta, rewarded for strong club form. Deschamps stressed he picks for balance and cohesion, not the 26 best names. Source: beIN Sports.
Betting angles
France and Norway are overs/BTTS teams; Iraq drag everything under (one of the lowest goal profiles in the field). Pick overs in France/Norway fixtures, unders whenever Iraq are involved.
Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.
Analysis only. Betting is 18+, please gamble responsibly.