Overview
- Group I currently features France, Norway and Senegal, with the fourth spot to be decided in March by an intercontinental play-off between Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.
- Deschamps welcomed the prospect of a marquee Mbappé versus Haaland meeting, calling it a great duel featuring two leading scorers.
- Mbappé has 30 goals in 24 matches this season for club and country, while Haaland has 33 in 24 across Manchester City and Norway.
- Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after topping their qualifying group ahead of Italy.
- France could meet a third-placed side in the round of 32 if they top the group, with a potential last-16 matchup against Germany then looming.