Group I

Group I has a strong claim to being the toughest pool in the tournament. France (UEFA), finalists in each of the last two World Cups, are the favourites and rightly so, but they have been handed no favours. Senegal (CAF) are among Africa's strongest sides-quick, powerful and tournament-tested-and have the squad to finish above any opponent, France included, on the right night.

Norway (UEFA) are the wildcard everyone wants to watch: back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, they are spearheaded by Erling Haaland and carry the firepower to turn the group upside down. Iraq (AFC) complete the group and are the clear outsiders; competitive and combative, they will nonetheless do well to take points off three sides of this calibre.

How to predict it: this is the group where your finishing order is hardest-and most rewarding-to get right. France are likeliest to advance, but the second spot is a genuine three-way fight, and one of Senegal or Norway is going to finish third. The good news for predictors: because the top three are so strong, the team that finishes third here is one of the safest best-thirds bets in the entire tournament, so don't panic if a heavyweight slips to third in your bracket.

Think you've read it right? Set your Group I order → Or head back to the full tournament guide.