France to face Senegal and Norway in Group I; Haaland to arrive on the biggest stage after setting record as highest scorer in World Cup qualifying
There is already a clear early favourite for “Group of Death” after the 2026 World Cup draw was concluded on Friday.
The event was held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, capital of one of the three host nations, the United States.
France are set to meet Senegal in Group I, a matchup that will see the current World No 3 face the second-highest ranked African team.
It is a repeat of their clash in 2002, when Senegal defeated France 1-0 to kick off a dreadful campaign for Les Bleus that would eventually see them dumped out in the group stages.
Also in Group I is Erling Haaland’s Norway, who are making their first appearance at the World Cup since 1998. It is an opportunity for one of the world’s best strikers to showcase his talent on the global stage.
Haaland has already begun to lay down the marker. He scored 16 goals in eight qualifying matches en route to the showdown in 2026. That makes him the top scorer in World Cup qualifying in any continent.
France, Senegal and Norway will be joined by the winner of one of the intercontinental playoffs to be played in March.
In the rest of the draw, top-ranked team Spain will face Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group H.
Defending champions were drawn into a relatively easy Group J where they will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan. In Group L, England face Croatia as a repeat of the 2018 semifinals in Russia as part of Group L. They will also face Ghana and Panama.
Six places across the groups remain undecided, with 22 teams set to contest the playoffs in March for the final berths.
Full 2026 World Cup draw:
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Euro Playoff D
Group B: Canada, Euro Playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Euro Playoff C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Euro Playoff B
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Fifa Playoff 2
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Fifa Playoff 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
