No ads found for this position

Mbappe’s France face Haaland’s Norway, Senegal & Iraq in Group I battle

No ads found for this position

KATHMANDU: At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, France will open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal, a fixture that instantly revives memories of one of football’s most dramatic shocks from 24 years ago.

In 2002, then defending champions France were stunned by Senegal in their opening match in South Korea, a result that sparked nationwide celebrations in Dakar and remains one of the tournament’s most iconic upsets.

France eye third world title

World champions in 1998 and 2018, France arrive in the United States with ambitions of winning a third World Cup and becoming only the fifth nation in history to lift the trophy at least three times. Only Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), and Argentina (3) are ahead in the all-time list.

Led by Kylian Mbappé, France are again considered among the strongest contenders. The squad also features attacking depth with players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Hugo Ekitike, and others, giving them one of the most balanced squads in the competition.

Recent friendlies underline their strength: France defeated Brazil 2–1 and Colombia 3–1, although a 2–1 loss to Ivory Coast exposed some inconsistency.

Coach Didier Deschamps has also expressed concerns about the team’s preparation environment in the United States, particularly travel logistics, strict security checks, and heavy traffic affecting training schedules.

Deschamps, in charge since 2012, has hinted that this tournament could mark his final campaign as France coach.

Mbappé, now 27, enters the tournament in peak form after scoring eight goals at the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot and famously scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, although France lost on penalties. He already has 56 international goals and is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s national record.

France will also aim to extend their legacy and become one of the most successful teams in World Cup history with a potential third title.

France squad (World Cup 2026)

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
Coach: Didier Deschamps

Norway return with Haaland-led generation

Norway are back at the World Cup for only the fourth time and their first appearance since 1998.

Their biggest star is Erling Haaland, who arrives in extraordinary scoring form. The Manchester City striker has scored 55 goals in 49 appearances for Norway and has consistently hit 30+ goals per season at club level.

Alongside Haaland, Norway will rely on captain Martin Ødegaard and striker Alexander Sørloth. However, Ødegaard’s recent injury issues remain a concern.

Interestingly, Haaland’s father also played for Norway at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, adding a historic family storyline to their campaign.

Norway squad

Goalkeepers: Ørjan Håskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik
Defenders: Julian Ryerson, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, David Møller Wolfe, Fredrik Bjørkan, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, Leo Østigård, Sondre Langås, Henrik Falchener
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Kristoffer Thorstvedt, Morten Thorsby, Theodor Asgard
Forwards: Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup, Jørgen Høgh
Coach: Ståle Solbakken

Senegal aim redemption amid controversy

Senegal enter their third consecutive World Cup seeking another deep run after recent success in African football.

The team, however, arrives under a shadow following controversy in the Africa Cup of Nations, where disciplinary issues after a disputed final against Morocco led to sanctions and the loss of their title. Senegal have appealed the decision.

Despite that, the squad remains strong with leaders such as Sadio Mané, goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, midfielder Idrissa Gueye, and defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Mané, Senegal’s all-time top scorer with 55 international goals, will again be central to their attacking hopes.

Senegal squad

Goalkeepers: Édouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice)
Defenders: Krépin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhaté, Mustapha Mbaye, Abdoulaye Seck, Ismail Jakobs, Ilay Camara
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra, Pathé Ciss, Pape Matar Sarr, Nampalys Mendy
Forwards: Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Nicolas Jackson, Bamba Dieng, Cherif Ndiaye
Coach: Pape Thiaw

Iraq return after 40 years

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, ending a 40-year absence.

They secured qualification through an intercontinental playoff win over Bolivia, with goals from Ayman Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi.

Their squad is led by striker Ayman Hussein, supported by Ali Al-Hamadi, Mohanad Ali, and midfielder Amir Al-Ammari. Coach Graham Arnold has the task of guiding Iraq to their first World Cup win since their debut appearance in 1986.

Iraq squad

Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib, Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil
Defenders: Hussein Ali, Manaf Younis, Ahmad Yahya, Mustafa Saadoun, Zaid Tahseen, Rebin Sulaka, Hakeem Hashem, Merchas Doski, Zaid Ismail, Frans Putros
Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari, Kevin Yacob, Zidane Iqbal, Aymar Sher, Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasim, Yusuf Emin, Marco Farji
Forwards: Ali Jasim, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ali Yousif, Ayman Hussein, Mohammed Ali
Coach: Graham Arnold