World Cup Group of Death 2026 Odds, Predictions and Stars to Watch

Group I is still France’s group to lose.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up is loaded in attack with Mbappe, Olise and a host of others ready to take advantage of the three defenses in Group I.

The overall quality of Les Bleus will be on display throughout group play. That should be the key to earning first place.

The games with Norway and Senegal won’t be easy, but it’s hard to see both of those defenses completely halting the French attack for 90 minutes. France has scored multiple goals in nine of its last 10 games dating back to September 5.

Senegal is the battle-tested tournament team that could bank on its experience to finish second.

Sure, Norway has Haaland, but the Norwegian squad is rather inexperienced when it comes to playing in a major tournament.

Senegal made the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, won the African Cup of Nations in 2021 and reached the AFCON final again in 2025.

Iraq isn’t exactly a pushover of a fourth team in Group I. It won or tied 11 of its last 13 games on the international stage.

The big question is whether or not Iraq can hold up defensively. If it can, it has a shot to steal a point or two, but if not, it could have a severely high goal differential by the end of the group stage.

Prediction: 1. France, 2. Senegal, 3. Norway, 4. Iraq