France Face Tough Group Test as Mbappé Leads Title Push at 2026 World Cup

Posted : 29 May 2026

France national football team arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the leading contenders after winning the tournament in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022. However, the world’s top-ranked side have been handed a challenging Group I draw that includes Senegal national football team, Norway national football team and underdogs Iraq national football team.

France’s recent World Cup record has been impressive, reaching four finals in the last seven editions and winning two of them. Their most recent final ended in heartbreak in Qatar, where they lost to Argentina on penalties despite a sensational hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.

This tournament also marks the final World Cup in charge for long-serving coach Didier Deschamps, who has led the national team since 2012 and is widely expected to be succeeded by Zinedine Zidane.

Deschamps has warned against complacency, pointing to past failures when France arrived as defending champions in 2002 and were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a goal. Their opening fixture against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16 carries added historical significance.

France boast one of the most feared attacking units in world football, led by Mbappé, alongside Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and creative talents such as Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki. The squad’s depth makes them strong favourites, but Deschamps has repeatedly stressed the difficulty of their group.

Senegal enter the tournament with belief after famously defeating France at the 2002 World Cup, a result that inspired their historic run to the quarter-finals. Led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, they remain a dangerous and experienced side, despite recent off-field controversy following the Africa Cup of Nations.

Norway also return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, powered by a golden generation led by striker Erling Haaland. Under coach Ståle Solbakken, they have built a strong side featuring Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sørloth.

Norway face Iraq in their opening match before key clashes with Senegal and France, with the highly anticipated showdown between Haaland and Mbappé expected to headline the group.

Iraq, meanwhile, arrive as one of the tournament’s lowest-ranked sides but earned qualification through a long and demanding campaign, securing their place via an intercontinental play-off victory over Bolivia.

Despite their underdog status, Iraq coach Graham Arnold insists his team will embrace the opportunity, saying that anything is possible on football’s biggest stage.

France Face Tough Group Test as Mbappé Leads Title Push at 2026 World Cup

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