France is favored to win the World Cup and its inclusion also makes Group I the favorite to produce the Cup winner. The March window proved fruitful for the French beating Columbia and Brazil on American soil no less to take over the top spot in the FIFA world rankings. To get an idea of the talent the French has, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are listed among the top 5 favorites to win the World Cup Golden Ball tournament MVP.
The Premier League’s leading goal scorer Erling Haaland played a role in getting Norway back to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Haaland and Martn Odegaard give the Norwegians a lethal attack that can upset France if everything goes their way. Senegal and Iraq are priced as clear underdogs to win the group and to advance to the knockout stage.
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Odds to win Group I
France -230
Norway +290
Senegal +800
Iraq +5500
The biggest match in Group I figures to be between France and Norway on the last day of group play on June 26 in Foxboro. But if those squads look too far ahead they could pay the consequence of a crushing result to perennial African powerhouse Senegal or an unpredictable Iraq. It’s hard to imagine France not winning the group given the depth of the roster and the number of superstars on it. That also allows the French a level of flexibility in their attacking style.
Odds for Group I teams to win World Cup
France +451
Norway +3007
Senegal +10022
Iraq +155324
With France positioned as the overall World Cup betting favorite it makes Group I the favorite to produce the winning club. Realistically and according to the championship odds, the French are the only club that can pull this off. Norway went undefeated through qualifying behind the duo of Haaland and Odegaard. However, an injury kept Odegaard out of matches in the March window and his health is paramount to any sustained run through the competition.
Group I Team Previews
France -230
The presence alone of Kylian Mbappe makes France a threat, but they boast more talent than just the player who is a favorite to win the Golden Ball and Golden Boot. The team will also pull the ‘win one for the Gipper’ technique with Didier Deschamps coaching his final tournament. Deschamps was at the helm the last two World Cups that resulted in a win in 2018 and runner-up in 2022. France displayed its depth rotating the roster in wins over Brazil and Columbia in March.
Group Match Schedule:
June 16: vs. Senegal, 3 p.m. ET, New York, US
June 22: vs. Iraq, 5 p.m. ET, Philadelphia, US
June 26: vs. Norway, 3 p.m. ET, Foxboro, US
Norway +290
Norway has a legitimate chance to make some noise in its first World Cup since reaching the Round of 16 in 1998. Their play in qualifying sent notice to everyone. Fittingly it was Haaland that supplied the biggest boost with 16 goals in eight wins. Norway outscored opponents 37-5 in those matches. The dependency on those players could be Norway’s downfall, though. The club struggled in March friendlies scoring just once.
Group Match Schedule:
June 16: vs. Iraq, 6 p.m. ET, Foxboro, US
June 22: vs. Senegal, 8 p.m. ET, New York, US
June 26: vs. France, 3 p.m. ET, Foxboro, US
Senegal +800
To avoid getting into a track meet against France and Norway, Senegal needs to play a defensive game. They play a physical style and disrupt opponents in the middle of the pitch. The use of a compact defensive structure allows them to create quick counters with captain Sadio Mane the main force. The AFCON Player of the Tournament, Mane is the emotional leader of the group and likely playing in his last World Cup.
Group Match Schedule:
June 16: vs. France, 3 p.m. ET, New York, US
June 22: vs. Norway, 8 p.m. ET, New York, US
June 26: vs. Iraq, 3 p.m. ET, Toronto, CN
Iraq +5500
Coach Graham Arnold took Australia to the Round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup and has used the same philosophy with Iraq. The club is highly structured defensively and has taken an us-against-the-world mentality. That may create some great moments in the tournament, but the overall depth and talent level is far behind the other teams in the group.
Group Match Schedule:
June 16: vs. Norway, 6 p.m. ET, Foxboro, US
June 22: vs. France, 5 p.m. ET, Philadelphia, US
June 26: vs. Senegal, 3 p.m. ET, Toronto, CN
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