2026 World Cup Group I: Final Standings, Results and Recap
Group I produced two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s biggest storylines. France swept all three matches and went on to the semifinals, while Norway, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, rode Erling Haaland all the way to the quarterfinals. Senegal advanced as a third-place team despite losing twice, and Iraq left winless in its first appearance since 1986.
Three of the four Group I teams reached the knockout rounds, and two of them played deep into July. Below is the full recap: final standings, every result and scorer, and a look at how far each team went. For futures on the next major tournament, check our World Cup odds page.
2026 World Cup Group I final standings
France and Norway took the automatic spots, and Senegal became the only team at the tournament to reach the Round of 32 as a third-place finisher with just three points.
| Team | W-D-L | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3-0-0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 |
| Norway | 2-0-1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 |
| Senegal | 1-0-2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 3 |
| Iraq | 0-0-3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
2026 World Cup Group I results
Five of the six Group I matches were held at World Cup venues in the northeastern United States, with the final Senegal-Iraq match played in Toronto, Canada.
| Matchday | Result | Goal scorers | Host city |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France 3, Senegal 1 | Mbappé (2), Barcola 82′ (FRA); Mbaye 90+5′ (SEN) | New York/New Jersey |
| 1 | Norway 4, Iraq 1 | Haaland 29′, 43′, Østigård 76′, Hussein own goal 90+6′ (NOR); Hussein 39′ (IRQ) | Boston |
| 2 | France 3, Iraq 0 | Dembélé (3) (FRA) | Philadelphia |
| 2 | Norway 3, Senegal 2 | Haaland (2), Holmgren Pedersen 43′ (NOR); Sarr 53′, 90+3′ (SEN) | New York/New Jersey |
| 3 | France 4, Norway 1 | Not available | Boston |
| 3 | Senegal 5, Iraq 0 | Not available | Toronto |
Ousmane Dembélé’s hat trick against Iraq, all scored inside the first 32 minutes, was the second-fastest in World Cup history. On the final matchday, Senegal’s 5-0 rout of Iraq made it the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match, and that goal difference proved just enough to send the Lions of Teranga through.
How each Group I team fared
Here’s how far each Group I team went at the tournament.
France: Group winner, fourth place
Kylian Mbappé opened the tournament with two goals against Senegal and became France’s all-time leading scorer along the way. Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0, edged Paraguay 1-0 on a Mbappé penalty and handled Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals before Spain beat them 2-0 in the semifinals. France then lost a wild third-place match to England 6-4 in Miami.
Norway: Runner-up, out in the quarterfinals
Haaland scored twice in each of his first two World Cup matches and powered one of the tournament’s best stories. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32 and stunned Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 behind another Haaland brace. England finally ended the run in Miami Gardens, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winner three minutes into extra time for a 2-1 victory.
Senegal: Third place, out in the Round of 32
Senegal took a 2-0 lead over Belgium in Seattle on goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr, and looked set for the Round of 16. Belgium answered late through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, then won it 3-2 on a Tielemans penalty in stoppage time of extra time.
Iraq: Fourth place, eliminated
Iraq’s return to the World Cup after 40 years was a tough one. Hussein scored the team’s lone goal against Norway, but Iraq conceded 12 times in three matches and finished last.
Group I standout performers
These players defined Group I.
- Erling Haaland, Norway: Scored four group-stage goals, then added two more against Brazil.
- Ousmane Dembélé, France: Delivered one of the fastest hat tricks in World Cup history against Iraq.
- Kylian Mbappé, France: Scored twice in the opener and kept producing in the knockout rounds, including two goals against Sweden and the winner against Paraguay.
- Ismaïla Sarr, Senegal: Scored twice against Norway and again against Belgium.
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