Group I World Cup Odds 2026: Up-to-Date Betting Lines for the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to get underway, with Mexico and South Africa squaring off in the first fixture. Which of the 48 nations will go all the way and get their hands on the coveted trophy?

Group I is one of the most fascinating groups at the World Cup, as France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq battle for the top two places. Check out the Group I odds, markets, and best tips.

World Cup Group I Winner Odds

Even though European nations, France and Norway, are fancied to progress, Senegal could have something to say, while Iraq will enjoy their time in North America. Group I could be the most interesting group of the 2026 World Cup.

Odds taken at PricedUp at 10:55 on 8 June

France

France have been tipped by many to have a strong World Cup. The 2022 runners-up are right up there with the likes of Spain, England, and Brazil to lift the trophy this summer.

Les Bleus should book their place in the Round of 32 with no issues. Didier Deschamps’ men kick off their World Cup campaign with a meeting with Senegal in East Rutherford on June 16th.

Norway

With Erling Haaland in the team, anything is possible for Norway this summer. Stale Solbakken has an excellent squad, and the Norwegians could surprise a few in North America.

France may be the strong favourites to win Group I, but Norway will back themselves to join the French in the last 32. They could already be safely through by the time they take on France at Gillette Stadium on June 26th.

Senegal

One of Senegal’s greatest moments was beating France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea & Japan. Can they stun the European powerhouse again, 24 years later?

Senegal look most likely to challenge France and Norway in Group I, and the African nation can cause a couple of upsets. Can they reach the knockouts for the second World Cup in a row?

Iraq

Iraq are the group minnows, but Graham Arnold’s side will do their best to upset the applecart in Group I. The Lions of Mesopotamia are making their first World Cup appearance since Mexico 1986.

Scoring a goal would be a great achievement for Iraq, and they have three tough group games to do so. You can get 50/1 for the Iraqis to cause one of the biggest World Cup upsets by beating France, Norway, and Senegal to first place in Group I.

The Best Odds at these Bookmakers for World Cup 2026 Group I

3 key takeaways from this article on World Cup group I odds

• France are group I favorites at odds of 1.40, thanks to their squad depth and status as back-to-back World Cup finalists (according to France World Cup odds).
• Norway is the second favorite to win group I at odds of 3.75.
• Iraq has entered the competition after forty years and is an underdog to top group I with odds of 41.00.

The World Cup group I fixtures

Before jumping into the odds, let’s discuss FIFA World Cup Odds group I’s fixtures. All six matches will take place between 16 June and 26 June, 2026. Most of the action will take place along the East Coast of the US.

That means there’ll be some late-night viewing for us watching from the UK, similar to what we spotted in our group A World Cup odds review. Here are the details.

The date circled on our calendar is 26 June, when Norway plays France in Foxborough. That could be the match that’ll settle what country will come out on top. The third-place race between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto is also on the same final day, as both games start at the same time. The group stage is one to watch because of the pressure on the last day.

Reviewing FIFA World Cup group I odds

If you already have an account on any of our recommended bookmakers listed on this page, you’ll find each country’s current odds to win group I. At the time of writing, here are the current odds for each team, which differ significantly from Argentina's World Cup odds.

Please note that these bookmakers’ odds shift as we edge closer to the tournament. So, if you want to lock in any of these odds, feel free to do so by registering (if you haven’t) on any of our bookies via the banners on this page.

That said, group I looks straightforward. France is tipped to come out of the group as the winners. Norway could follow suit. Then there's a real coin toss between Senegal and Iraq for that third-place finish, much like the one between Paraguay and Australia in our group D World Cup odds review. And with the top eight third-place teams advancing to the knockout stages, even finishing third keeps the World Cup dream alive.

Group I team previews

Numbers are one thing. However, understanding their significance is where the real value lies. So, let’s take a look at all four sides.

France (1st on FIFA rankings): The world's number one team

France enters this tournament as FIFA’s number one. They were the reigning champions in the 2018 edition and runners-up in the 2022 edition in Qatar. Now, they hope to continue that form in North America this summer.

Sadly, this could be the last World Cup for manager Didier Deschamps, who has publicly announced he will not return for the next one. Thus, he’s looking for a legacy that would make him leave with potentially 2 World Cup gold medals.

The France Squad is packed with all-star players from front to back. Kylian Mbappé is at the forefront of the attack and is one of the top contenders for the Golden Boot. Ousmane Dembele, another prolific attacker, is in the Ballon d’Or conversation this year, after winning it in 2025. Then, there is Michael Olise (Bayern Munich Winger), who has done double digits in goals and assists in the 2025/2026 season.

They have also been in great form lately. In March 2026, France defeated Brazil 2-1 in the United States, and three days later, they defeated Colombia 3-1. They have won eight, lost one (to Spain), and drawn one (to Iceland) of their last ten matches. It’s no surprise that bookmakers place France to win group I at odds of 1.40, which is surprisingly higher than Brazil’s (1.16) in our group C World Cup odds review.

Norway (31st on FIFA ranking): A surprise contender after 28 years of waiting

Norway has not been at a World Cup since 1998. That is 28 years. The team broke that drought by going unbeaten throughout the entire qualifying campaign, with 8 wins and a goal difference of 32 (37 goals scored, 5 goals conceded). That shows the team is not clawing its way to the big stage, but announcing to the world that it’s back and ready.

The headline player to watch is Erling Haaland. In the qualification rounds, he scored 16 goals. The squad isn’t a one-man show, though. Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal captain, controls the tempo from midfield. Alexander Sørloth provides the aerial threat and the physical presence up front. Jørgen Strand Larsen and Caroline Nusa offer different options off the bench

Manager Ståle Solbakken has created a side that can defend and attack, and this is reflected in the few goals (5) Norway conceded during qualification. However, the country will face top-level opposition. In March 2026, they faced the Netherlands and Switzerland in friendlies, with both matches ending in defeat and a draw, respectively.

Hence, beating Iraq and keeping Senegal under control could be possible. But to take on France? That is the main challenge. To be fair, a second-place finish would be an ideal spot for Norway to enter the knockout stages.

Senegal (14th in FIFA ranking): A top African country

Senegal is among the 20 nations in the world (per FIFA rankings), evidenced by their performance in the recent African Cup of Nations. This team is strong and complete with high-level European footballers playing week in, week out.

Sadio Mané is the beating heart of this team. At this stage of his career, he’s a veteran leader, a big-game player, and Senegal's most lethal striker. Nicolas Jackson, a young forward for Bayern Munich (on loan from Chelsea), gives the team the clinical edge and youthful energy. Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate are one of the more experienced center-back pairings in the entire tournament.

Now, what makes this group one to watch is that France and Senegal last played in the World Cup in 2002. Senegal won (1-0), and it was one of the most celebrated victories because it was the country’s WC debut. So the Senegalese players will enter MetLife Stadium in hopes of achieving a double over FIFA’s #1 team.

Iraq (57th on FIFA ranking): 40 years of waiting is over

If you think Norway’s 28 years is a lot, Iraq’s last World Cup appearance was in 1986. The country played 21 WC qualifying matches, more than any other country in the tournament. So, if you’re looking for a team built on endurance and determination, Iraq has a lot in its arsenal.

Unlike France and Norway, the country doesn’t have star players. But what it has is structure, discipline, and a collective identity. Manager Graham Arnold proved he can get a team organised to hold their own against bigger teams, as evidenced by the WC qualifiers. There is a lot of activity in front, with Aymen Hussein, a prolific striker, and Amir Al-Ammari, a key creative midfielder.

Currently at 4.00 odds to advance from group I, Iraq is the clear underdog. But if the World Cup stories are anything to note, such as Saudi Arabia beating Argentina (2-1) in 2022 and Costa Rica defeating Italy (1-0) in 2014, anything can happen.

Hence, a team that has waited 40 years to return could arrive with more passion than the odds indicate. Iraq’s story as an underdog and their World Cup journey is one to watch. This is very similar to that of Qatar in our group B World Cup odds review.

Pros and cons of betting on group I World Cup odds

Here are the pros and cons of betting on the odds to win group I.

Pros and Cons

• France is the clear favorite to win
• Fair odds on Senegal to qualify
• Last matchday gives plenty of betting opportunities

• A major upset could occur in the group
• France’s odds of qualifying out of group I is small

Sign up on our recommended sportsbook and wager on group I World Cup odds

This group has it all. It comprises a world-class favorite with a point to prove, a nation that’s making a comeback, a formidable African side, and an underdog ready to prove its worth with hard work and dedication.

Based on current odds, the top two of the group are France and Norway to qualify. The World Cup group I is one to watch. And if you’re in the mood to get involved, click on the banners on this page to register at one of our recommended World Cup sportsbooks and lock in your picks.

Group I World Cup odds FAQs