Group I's General Discussion Thread

I think France wins this group. Best talented team arguably in the whole World Cup, and they always do well in World Cup group stages historically.

The toss up is between Senegal and Norway. I have mixed feelings and feel that Norway has a very good and free flowing attack but Senegal has a better defense and midfield. Very contrasting styles of football. I give the edge to Senegal but Norway still advances third place.

I feel sorry for Iraq because they play well and have a good coach. But unfortunately this is the group of death for them, and might have trouble doing anything significant.

1. France
2. Senegal
3. Norway
4. Iraq

 

Senegal playing France so early is fun and will bring back memories.

Norway is being hyped up way too much that I think they may not live up to expectations. But they sure do have the talent and momentum.

Iraq is just happy to be there.

 

I'm a bit concerned how much fuel Haaland still has left in the tank after a long season. City went all the way in both domestic cups and the league title race. Plus, alot of CL games too. He has not been as good the second half of this season.

Odegaard should be well rested, OTOH.

But the thing that impresses me about Norway is their teamwork. I don't see that abandoning them at this stage. Is Senegal also able to play above the sum of their parts?

 

Senegal isn't the first team that comes to mind for teams that punch above their talent pool, but they definitely arent the opposite either.

I mean the last 3 afcons, they have 2 wins and a pk loss to the eventual champions/hosts. That's pretty damn impressive.

They know how to beat big teams. We can look at friendly matches.

Senegal 4 Brazil 2
England 1 Senegal 3

They are a very solid side. I'd say top 10 or just outside it.

 

Brasil was playing so horribly at the time and had a tactical management meltdown and were in Limbo.

England played more of a “B” team.

I like Senegal but do not put much stock in friendlies.

 

I wouldn’t say Senegal is Top 10 but probably just below that. Same level as Switzerland if you ask me.

 

Indeed, I will be happy if we manage to earn respectable results.. This group is packed with world class players

 

Yeah, rough luck. Pretty much the best teams in pot 1, 2 and 3 were all drawn into this group. And on top of that, an argument could be made that Senegal and Norway deserved to be in a higher pot based on both quality of squad and recent results.

 

This is indeed a very tough draw for Iraq. They might have a chance of snatching a draw against one the teams in the group, but overall I don't see them being able to do much more. But congratulations to the Iraqi team for earning a morale lifting draw against Spain in their friendly recently. Despite Spain being far less than at full strength, that was a good a result and I didn't expect that either.

 

For my money this is definitely the toughest group.

 

France: Overall one of the best teams in the world and top favorites to win the World Cup. The depth is just outrageous especially in defense and attack. Players like Mbappe, Dembele, Douey, Thuram, Hernandez, Upemecano, Gusto, Kounde, etc. The midfield might have more limited depth but there’s still Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery, and Kante. Clear favorites.

Senegal: This team has a lot of question marks and is supposedly in a time of transition. Koulibaly and Mane are good but past their prime; however, there are a bunch of youngsters that play for top-notch European clubs but aren’t key players at all for those clubs YET. Since Thiaw took over as coach a few years ago, the vision and identity has changed. I think Senegal’s getting there and coming back, but the team seems to be a bit disorganized and lacks chemistry in some areas RIGHT NOW.

Norway: One of the biggest stories of World Cup Qualification. The team has had Odegard, Haaland, Sorloth, and Berge for a while, but other players have emerged like Nusa; and the team suddenly started to click and find their chemistry and rythemn this cycle. The attack has world class chemistry, and this team scored the most goals of all teams in World Cup qualification. Defense is a bit questionable though.

Iraq: Clearly weaker than the other 3 teams in this group, but don’t underestimate them. Arnold is their coach who’s the same coach that led Australia last World Cup. The team is very organized and structured, and will likely cause all sorts of problems for the other 3 teams even if they lose all 3 games.

This is one of the Groups of Death. I think we can say that France wins this group after tough battles, and Iraq unfortunately comes in last.

Norway vs Senegal is the biggest debate, and honestly it’s extremely close. Norway’s top 3 players have the superior talent on paper; but the rest of the team outside of top 3, Senegal has the better talent. All that to say, I think as of RIGHT NOW, Norway is ahead of Senegal on chemistry and organization. Because of this and scheduling order favoring Norway, I fancy Norway just to edge second place. But I think both teams advance as second and third place, behind France.

Final Standings:
1. France
2. Norway
3. Senegal
4. Iraq

 

Like many, I tend to think the only question in this group, is who finishes second, otoh, Norway's been impressive in the run up, and after a great AFCON, Senegal's fallen off a bit. France meanwhile doesn't utilize that attack well enough to me, so Norway as a longshot 1st place finisher doesn't seem the worst idea.

I feel bad for Iraq, I would have been far happier if they'd landed in Belgium or Argentina's group and had a chance at a result, but now? Looks unlikely, recent friendlies were odd, beaten by Venezuela, but drew France? Pretty wild results (I will say the Venezuela of the '26 cycle is the best Venezuela I've ever seen other than '17 U20 WC Finalists).