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World Cup 2026 Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq — Mbappé and Haaland Dominate Matchday 1
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World Cup 2026 Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq — Mbappé and Haaland Dominate Matchday 1

▲ Peak Trend score: 91 Published: June 22, 2026 Updated: June 22, 2026

By Alexandre Le Hégarat datastats

MD1 (June 16): France 3-1 Senegal (Mbappé 66' & 90+6', Barcola 82'; Mbaye late) — Mbappé becomes France all-time leading scorer (58 goals), WC tally 14; Norway 4-1 Iraq (Haaland 29' & 43', Østigård 76', OG; Iraq equalized 39') — Haaland's first World Cup goals. Standings after MD1: France 3 pts, Norway 3 pts, Senegal 0, Iraq 0. MD2 (June 22): France vs Iraq (5pm ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia), Norway vs Senegal (8pm ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ). MD3 (June 26): Norway vs France (Foxborough), Senegal vs Iraq (Toronto).

The context

Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup may prove to be the most star-studded group of the tournament, and Matchday 1 delivered exactly the kind of spectacle that was expected.

At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on June 16, France faced Senegal in what was one of the most anticipated clashes of the group stage. The match was tightly contested for over an hour before France’s quality told. Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 82nd, and Mbappé completed his brace in deep stoppage time (90+6’) before Senegal replied through Ibrahim Mbaye in the final moments. France won 3-1. The scoreline undersells Senegal’s resilience in the first hour, but Mbappé’s influence was decisive. Two goals took his World Cup career tally to 14, and his total of 58 international goals makes him the greatest French scorer in history — surpassing Olivier Giroud.

In Foxborough, Norway against Iraq was a very different kind of match. Erling Haaland — a man who had never scored at a World Cup because Norway had never qualified for one in his career — finally had his stage. He took it emphatically: his 29th-minute opener, Norway’s 43rd-minute second (also Haaland), a brief Iraqi equaliser in the 39th that only delayed the inevitable, and then Østigård’s 76th-minute header and a late own goal to complete a 4-1 win. The dominant victory put Norway top of Group I on goal difference — though they will know France are the real benchmark when the two nations meet in MD3 on June 26 in Foxborough.

Matchday 2 on June 22 sees France face Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway meet Senegal in East Rutherford. Both matches are being played today; results will update the group picture significantly. Matchday 3 (June 26) — Norway vs France and Senegal vs Iraq — could determine the group winner and may produce a top-of-the-table decider with significant knockout-stage implications.

People also ask

What teams are in Group I of the 2026 World Cup?#
Group I contains France, Norway, Senegal, and Iraq. France are the pre-tournament favourites to top the group; Norway — powered by Erling Haaland — are an emerging threat; Senegal are the African champions and a dangerous side despite their MD1 loss; Iraq are the group's underdogs, making the most of their second World Cup appearance since 1986.
What was the score of France vs Senegal at the 2026 World Cup?#
France defeated Senegal 3-1 on June 16, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 66th minute and added a second deep in stoppage time (90+6'), with Bradley Barcola adding a second goal in the 82nd minute. Senegal pulled one back through Ibrahim Mbaye late on. The win confirmed France's status as serious contenders and took Mbappé's World Cup career tally to 14 goals.
What was the score of Norway vs Iraq at the 2026 World Cup?#
Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on June 16, 2026, at Foxborough, Massachusetts. Erling Haaland scored twice (29th and 43rd minutes) — his first-ever World Cup goals. Iraq equalised in the 39th minute to briefly level at 1-1, but Norway responded decisively: Leo Østigård added a third in the 76th minute and a late own goal completed the rout. It was Norway's most emphatic statement of intent at any World Cup.
Did Mbappé break a France scoring record at the 2026 World Cup?#
Yes. Kylian Mbappé's brace against Senegal on June 16, 2026 took his international goal tally to 58, making him France's all-time leading scorer — surpassing Olivier Giroud's record. His two-goal display also extended his World Cup career total to 14 goals. Mbappé entered the tournament as arguably the world's best player; his MD1 performance confirmed the billing.
Were these Erling Haaland's first World Cup goals?#
Yes. Erling Haaland scored twice against Iraq on June 16, 2026 — goals in the 29th and 43rd minutes at Foxborough — to register his first-ever World Cup goals. Haaland had built a reputation as one of the world's best strikers in club football, but Norway's previous qualification failures meant he had never appeared at a World Cup until 2026. His double puts the question of whether he can match Mbappé's World Cup goals tally firmly on the agenda.
What are the Group I standings after Matchday 1 of the 2026 World Cup?#
After Matchday 1 (June 16, 2026): France lead on 3 points (GD +2), Norway are level on 3 points (GD +3, ranked above France on goal difference), Senegal have 0 points (GD -2), and Iraq have 0 points (GD -3). France and Norway are both in excellent shape ahead of Matchday 2 on June 22.
When does France play next in Group I at the 2026 World Cup?#
France face Iraq in Matchday 2 on June 22, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (5pm ET). France will be heavy favourites after their 3-1 win over Senegal. A victory would confirm their place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
When does Norway play next in Group I at the 2026 World Cup?#
Norway face Senegal in Matchday 2 on June 22, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (8pm ET). Norway will be looking to confirm their spot in the knockout stages after their impressive 4-1 opening win over Iraq, with Haaland expected to continue his strong form.
Can Senegal qualify from Group I at the 2026 World Cup?#
Senegal face an uphill climb after losing 1-3 to France in MD1. They face Norway on June 22 — a win would keep them alive. Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 and are a technically gifted squad; their qualification hopes are dented but not eliminated.
Who scored for France in their win over Senegal?#
Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France against Senegal on June 16, 2026 — in the 66th minute and in the 90+6th minute — while Bradley Barcola added a goal in the 82nd minute. Senegal replied through Ibrahim Mbaye for a 3-1 final scoreline. Mbappé's brace made him France's all-time top scorer with 58 international goals.

Sources

  • espn
  • cbssports
  • skysports
  • lequipe
  • fifa.com
  • reuters

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