France Drawn in Group I for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Facing Senegal, Norway, and Playoff Winner

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held on December 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., placed France in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway, and an intercontinental playoff team expected to be Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname. This tournament will be the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32, marking a significant change in format with the introduction of a round of 16 following the group stage.

France, currently ranked third globally, avoided facing other top-seeded teams like Croatia and Morocco in the group stage. Their group features Senegal, ranked 19th, Norway, propelled by star striker Erling Haaland, and a yet-to-be-determined playoff qualifier. This grouping has a historical edge as France suffered a defeat to Senegal in the 2002 World Cup, a memory that adds motivation to the opening match, which France will host against Senegal on American soil.

Coach Didier Deschamps described Group I as "solid and dense," highlighting the challenges Senegal poses due to the strong bonds between French and Senegalese players and its competitive nature. He acknowledged Norway's offensive strength, particularly through Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, emphasizing the difficulty of the matches. Deschamps stressed the importance of humility and delivering strong performances from the outset amid logistical challenges posed by unfamiliar match timings and high temperatures in the United States. Four members of the French coaching staff are already on-site preparing training facilities, with competitive friendlies planned for March as part of the build-up.

Matches will be staged on the U.S. East Coast and Canada, in cities such as New York's MetLife Stadium, Boston's Gillette Stadium, Philadelphia, and Toronto, selected for logistical convenience and travel efficiency. The exact match schedule and stadium assignments are yet to be announced.

The 2026 World Cup's expanded format and challenging group place France in a demanding yet promising position as they seek to advance and possibly face Germany in the knockout stages. The blend of historical rivalries and emerging football talent ensures the group stage promises compelling contests for the French national team and its supporters.