The reunion of France and Senegal brought a sense of history to this tournament, echoing the legendary 2002 upset that shook the footballing world. However, after the opening round of matches, Group I is already shaping up to be one of the more intriguing sections at the World Cup.
France justified their status as favourites with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal, while Norway’s emphatic 4-1 win over Iraq strengthened the belief that they can challenge for top spot in the group.
Mbappe and Haaland have already made their mark, setting up a fascinating battle at the top of Group I...
For bettors tracking the World Cup Group I odds, the first set of results has provided valuable insight. France remain the team to beat, but Norway’s attacking display has added a fascinating new dimension to the group winner and qualification markets. Meanwhile, Senegal now face little margin for error despite showing enough quality to suggest they should not be written off just yet.
We have you covered with our expert World Cup predictions to find where the smart money is moving. Read on to see how the latest results, betting trends and tactical matchups could shape the road to the knockout stages.
After the opening round of matches, France remain firmly in control of Group I, while Norway’s impressive start has strengthened their chances of reaching the knockout stages. The latest World Cup odds reflect the current state of the group:
| Team | To Win Group | To Qualify | Not to Qualify |
|---|---|---|---|
 France |
2/5 (71.4%) | 1/100 (99.0%) | 20/1 (4.8%) |
 Norway |
10/3 (23.1%) | 1/10 (90.9%) | 5/1 (16.7%) |
 Senegal |
12/1 (7.7%) | 4/9 (69.2%) | 13/8 (38.1%) |
 Iraq |
80/1 (1.2%) | 11/2 (15.4%) | 1/10 (90.9%) |
Odds provided by bet365 – accurate as of 22nd June.
France remain the most likely group winners and their opening 3-1 victory over Senegal only strengthened that position. However, from a betting perspective, the value in backing Les Bleus at odds-on prices has largely disappeared. Instead, the France-Norway Straight Forecast stands out as one of the strongest positions in Group I.
Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq highlighted exactly why many bettors viewed them as a dangerous outsider before the tournament. Erling Haaland gives them a genuine game-changer, while their attacking approach should create enough chances to secure the points needed to finish behind France and ahead of Senegal.
Another angle worth considering is the Total Goals market in Norway fixtures. After scoring four times in their opener and with Haaland leading the line, backing Over 2.5 goals in Norway’s remaining group games could offer more value than some of the traditional World Cup outright markets.
Senegal’s defeat to France means their clash with Norway now looks pivotal in the race for qualification. While the Africans remain capable of reaching the knockout stages, Norway’s superior goal difference and strong start give them a clear advantage. For that reason, France and Norway to qualify still looks one of the most solid accumulator selections in Group I.
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France Group I Odds
France Group I OddsFrance remain the team to beat in Group I after opening with a 3-1 win over Senegal. Their price is short, but that result strengthened their grip on the group and showed why they started as clear favourites.
Head coach Didier Deschamps has enough tactical flexibility and tournament experience to manage this section, while France’s attacking depth gives them multiple ways to win games. From a betting perspective, the issue is value rather than probability, with France now difficult to oppose but also hard to back at a short price.
Norway Group I OddsNorway made the biggest statement of the opening round in Group I, beating Iraq 4-1 and immediately strengthening their qualification case. After a 28-year absence, they look capable of making a serious impact rather than simply making up the numbers.
Their attacking talent gives them a clear route to points, especially with Erling Haaland leading the line. Norway’s chances of topping the group still depend heavily on taking something from France, but the market now has to treat them as a genuine contender for second place.
Senegal Group I OddsSenegal’s 3-1 defeat to France puts them under early pressure, but it does not end their qualification hopes. In the expanded format, the best third-placed teams can also reach the knockouts, which keeps them firmly alive if they respond quickly.
They still have enough physicality, pace and tournament experience to cause problems, but their margin for error is now much smaller. The key betting question is whether the market has overreacted to a defeat against the group favourite, especially with Norway now looking like their main rival for second place.
Iraq Group I OddsIraq’s 4-1 defeat to Norway showed why they remain outsiders in Group I. Making just their second World Cup Finals appearance, they were always likely to face a steep step up in quality, and their opening result has left them needing a response.
The expanded format means qualification is not impossible, especially if they can take points from Senegal, but they now have very little room for error. From a betting perspective, Iraq remain a high-risk selection, with their best route likely coming through a surprise result rather than consistent group-stage performance.
From the first whistle to the final trophy lift, stay on top of every bracket permutation using our printable World Cup schedule.
SenegalSenegal may have started Group I with a 3-1 defeat to France, but they remain one of the most interesting teams to watch in this section. The scoreline perhaps flattered France slightly, and Senegal showed enough attacking threat to suggest they can still play a major role in the race for qualification.
Let’s not forget Senegal reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002, and they continue to possess the physicality, athleticism and direct attacking style that can cause problems for any opponent. Their ability to create danger from set-pieces and transition quickly from defence to attack remains a significant weapon.
With little room for error after Matchday 1, Senegal’s upcoming fixtures now carry added importance. That pressure could bring out the best in a side that has often thrived when written off, making them a fascinating team to follow in the Group I betting markets.
Erling Haaland wasted little time making his presence felt, scoring twice as Norway opened with a 4-1 win over Iraq. Few strikers in world football can match his goalscoring record, and if Norway continue creating chances at that rate, he should remain firmly in the conversation for the Golden Boot. His current price in the Golden Boot odds market will continue to attract attention if Norway maintain their attacking form.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe reminded everyone why he remains one of the most feared forwards in international football when bagging a brace during France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal. Already among the favourites in the Golden Boot market, Mbappe combines elite pace, movement and finishing with the advantage of playing for one of the tournament favourites. If France make another deep run, he is likely to be central to everything they achieve.
The Golden Boot race is already beginning to take shape after the opening round of matches. Here are the leading contenders from Group I.
| Player | Team | Odds (Impl. Prob) |
| Kylian Mbappe | France | 2/1 (33.3%) |
| Erling Haaland | Norway | 16/1 (5.9%) |
| Ousmane Dembele | France | 80/1 (1.2%) |
| Sadio Mane | Senegal | 100/1 (1.0%) |
Odds provided by bet365 – accurate as of 22nd June.
Stay tuned to the latest World Cup news hub for real-time fixtures, results and pricing updates as the race for qualification in Group I intensifies.
| Match | When/Where | Result / Preview |
|---|---|---|
| France vs Senegal | 16th June, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford | France 3-1 Senegal |
| Iraq vs Norway | 16th June, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | Iraq 1-4 Norway |
| France vs Iraq | 22nd June, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | France vs Iraq predictions |
| Norway vs Senegal | 23rd June, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford | Norway vs Senegal predictions |
| Norway vs France | 26th June, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | Norway vs France predictions |
| Senegal vs Iraq | 26th June, BMO Field, Toronto | Senegal vs Iraq predictions |
The hierarchy of Group I is starting to take shape after the opening round of matches, but there is still plenty left to play for. France and Norway currently hold the advantage following impressive victories, while Senegal and Iraq will be looking to respond quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive.
With France and Norway both capable of scoring goals in volume, goal difference could yet prove decisive in the race for top spot and the knockout places. You can monitor every update and live movement through the World Cup standings to stay ahead of the curve.
We have provided our World Cup predictions for all 12 groups so you can get ahead of the game before the tournament starts on 11th June:
We work with a variety of reputable betting platforms that have a proven track record of delivering competitive World Cup odds. However, it’s not just the juicy pre-match and outright prices they are renowned for.
The best bookmakers we lean into will also conjure up a plethora of exciting World Cup promotions to pique the interest of new and existing players. These will come in different guises, such as free bets or enhanced accas, but they will ultimately enrich your betting experience.
France remain the clear favourites to win Group I after opening with a 3-1 victory over Senegal. Les Bleus were already expected to top the section before the tournament, and their strong start has only reinforced their position at the head of the market.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland remain the standout names in Group I. Mbappe scored twice in France’s opening victory over Senegal, while Haaland continues to spearhead Norway’s attack as they look to build on their impressive start to the tournament.
Senegal remain the most likely team to upset the established order despite their opening defeat. With a squad that balances veteran leadership from Sadio Mane and emerging talent from Europe’s top leagues, the Lions of Teranga still possess the quality to challenge for qualification.
Iraq remain the most likely team to exit after the group stage. Their 4-1 defeat to Norway leaves them with little margin for error, and they now face an uphill battle against three opponents with significantly greater experience on the world stage. World Cup bookmakers continue to rate them as the least likely team in the group to progress.
With France now trading at very short odds to win the group, many bettors may find greater value elsewhere. The France-Norway Straight Forecast remains an appealing option, while Norway’s attacking style and the presence of Erling Haaland make Over 2.5 Goals markets an interesting angle in their remaining group matches.
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