France finished atop Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway, while Iraq’s campaign ended without a point following a 5-0 defeat to Senegal, whose hopes of reaching the Round of 32 now depend on the final standings among the tournament’s third-placed teams.
The final round of Group I produced sharply contrasting outcomes. France completed a perfect group-stage campaign with three consecutive victories, Norway advanced as runner-up, Senegal kept its knockout-stage ambitions alive, and Iraq exited the tournament after suffering three straight defeats.
🟣🎥 تقرير خاص | المنتخب العراقي يودع كأس العالم FIFA 2026 بخسارة ثقيلة أمام السنغال 0 – 5
🎙️ تقرير | عفيف الزرقي @afifzorgui pic.twitter.com/1v9aG8zFWJ— beIN SPORTS الإخبارية (@beINSPORTSNews) June 26, 2026
Iraq’s Early Setback Changes the Match
Iraq entered its final group-stage match seeking a positive conclusion to its World Cup campaign, but the contest quickly slipped away.
Senegal opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Habib Diarra, placing immediate pressure on Graham Arnold’s side before Iraq’s situation deteriorated further six minutes later.
Defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card following a VAR review, leaving Iraq to play with 10 men for more than 80 minutes.
The numerical disadvantage forced Iraq into an early tactical reshuffle, and its problems deepened after goalkeeper Ahmed Basil was forced off injured at the start of the second half.
Despite holding Senegal to a single goal before halftime, Iraq struggled to contain its opponent after the break as fatigue and the extra space on the field began to take their toll.
Senegal Takes Full Advantage
Senegal capitalized on its numerical superiority immediately after halftime.
Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute before substitute Pape Gueye made an instant impact, scoring shortly after entering the match.
Gueye added his second goal later in the second half, while Iliman Ndiaye completed the scoring with a powerful long-range strike to seal a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
The result lifted Senegal to three points, leaving the African side waiting to discover whether its goal difference and points total will be enough to qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
For Iraq, the defeat confirmed the end of its World Cup journey without earning a point from its three group-stage matches.
France Dominates Norway to Secure First Place
Already assured of a place in the Round of 32, France entered its final Group I fixture with one remaining objective: finishing first.
The 2018 world champions immediately imposed their rhythm and nearly scored within seconds before Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute after being set up by Kylian Mbappe.
France continued to dictate play throughout the opening half, and Dembele struck again in the 20th minute following another assist from Mbappe to double the advantage.
Norway briefly threatened a comeback when Thelo Aasgaard pulled one goal back moments later, but France never lost control of the match.
Dembele completed his hat trick in the 32nd minute after receiving a precise pass from Aurelien Tchouameni, becoming only the third French player to score a World Cup hat trick after Just Fontaine and Mbappe.
His three goals also entered World Cup history as the second-fastest hat trick ever recorded in the tournament, achieved in just 25 minutes.
France continued to create chances after halftime, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan denied Norway from narrowing the deficit with several important saves.
Desire Doue completed the scoring deep into stoppage time, heading home Bradley Barcola’s cross to seal a convincing 4-1 victory.
The result gave France a perfect nine-point haul from three matches and confirmed first place in Group I, three points ahead of Norway.
🟣🎥 تقرير خاص | فرنسا تحقق العلامة الكاملة بالفوز على النرويج 4 – 1
🎙️ تقرير | محمد شريف حواص @CherifHaouas pic.twitter.com/80wVjoM1Ag— beIN SPORTS الإخبارية (@beINSPORTSNews) June 26, 2026
Contrasting Emotions Across Group I
The final standings reflected four very different stories.
France advanced with maximum points and reinforced its credentials as one of the tournament favorites.
Norway also progressed comfortably after winning its opening two matches despite the defeat.
Senegal revived its World Cup hopes with an emphatic victory over Iraq and now awaits the conclusion of the remaining groups to determine whether it qualifies among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
For Iraq, the campaign ended in disappointment after three consecutive losses, bringing the nation’s FIFA World Cup 2026 journey to an early conclusion.
What the Results Mean
The final round of Group I completed the knockout-stage picture for two teams while leaving another waiting for its fate.
Group I Final Standings
France – 9 points (Qualified as Group Winner)
Norway – 6 points (Qualified as Group Runner-up)
Senegal – 3 points (Awaiting the best third-place rankings)
Iraq – 0 points (Eliminated)
France’s first-place finish is expected to set up a Round of 32 meeting with Sweden, while Norway is projected to face Ivory Coast in the next round.
Senegal, meanwhile, must wait for the completion of the remaining groups to determine whether its five-goal victory over Iraq will be enough to secure one of the eight knockout berths available to the best third-placed teams.
Key Takeaways
France completed the group stage with a perfect nine points from three matches.
Ousmane Dembele scored the second-fastest hat trick in FIFA World Cup history, completing three goals in just 25 minutes.
Dembele became only the third French player to record a World Cup hat trick after Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe.
Senegal recorded its biggest victory of the tournament with a 5-0 win over Iraq.
Ismaila Sarr became Senegal’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup finals with four career goals.
Iraq finished its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign without earning a point after three consecutive defeats.
Looking Ahead
With the group stage now complete, attention shifts to the Round of 32, where France will attempt to continue its unbeaten run and strengthen its bid for another world title.
Norway will also look to carry its strong group-stage form into the knockout rounds, while Senegal remains focused on securing one of the tournament’s remaining qualification places.
France now advances to the Round of 32 with maximum points and growing momentum, while Senegal must wait for the remaining group-stage results to learn whether its World Cup journey will continue. Iraq, meanwhile, leaves the tournament after a difficult campaign that ended without a point.
Source: Reuters Sport, FIFA Match Centre, Profile News.
