UEFA · Group I
FIFA World Cup 2026
France
FIFA Ranking #2Coach Didier DeschampsFRA
Team quick answers
What group is France in at World Cup 2026?
France are in Group I with Senegal, Iraq, Norway. The group is a four-team round-robin.
Who coaches France and what is their FIFA ranking?
France are coached by Didier Deschamps, are FIFA-ranked #2, and use the team code FRA.
When does France's group-stage campaign start?
France's first group match is against Senegal on June 16, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Their full group-stage window runs June 16, 2026 — June 26, 2026.
How can France reach the knockout stage?
France advance directly to the Round of 32 by finishing in the top two of Group I. If they finish third, they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Team profile
France arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 as a top-tier global power, ranked #2 in the FIFA world rankings. Didier Deschamps leads the squad after qualifying through the UEFA qualifying pathway. They have been drawn into Group I, a four-team round-robin where the top two advance directly to the round of 32 and the third-placed team competes for one of eight best-third spots.
Confederation: UEFA (Europe) — the confederation with the largest WC2026 contingent at 16 teams. France's qualification campaign placed them among the 16 sides representing their region at the expanded 48-team tournament.
France share Group I with Iraq, Norway, Senegal. Average FIFA rank of the group: #27.
France's group-stage campaign runs from June 16, 2026 to June 26, 2026, with three matches over approximately two weeks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first edition with 48 teams, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded format means most teams need only finish in the top three of their group to keep playing.
