FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I opened with two dominant performances. Kylian Mbappe became France all time top scorer with a stunning brace in a 3-1 win over Senegal, while Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals as Norway crushed Iraq 4-1 in Boston.
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| Kylian Mbappe celebrates his record breaking 58th goal for France against Senegal at MetLife Stadium FIFA World Cup 2026. |
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially ignited, and Group I has wasted no time delivering drama, records, and world class football. On June 16, two heavyweight nations France and Norway announced themselves to the tournament in emphatic fashion, with their respective superstars writing their names into history books.
France 3-1 Senegal: Mbappe Becomes Les Bleus All Time Top Scorer
A Slow Start for the World Champions
France stuttered, steadied, and eventually stunned at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where defending favourites Les Bleus took on African powerhouse Senegal in their Group I opener.
The first half belonged almost entirely to Senegal. The Lions of Teranga pressed France high and created several dangerous opportunities. France front three managed just one touch in the Senegal half before the break and that was Mbappe. Nicolas Jackson rattled the post with a thunderous effort, and Ismaila Sarr squandered a golden chance just before half time.
France goalkeeper was fortunate on more than one occasion, and the French have now been saved by the woodwork five times at this World Cup since 2022 and six times since 2018 the highest such tally in the competition.
The Second Half Transformation
Didier Deschamps made a decisive substitution that changed the game entirely. Substitute Bradley Barcola netted either side of a pair of exquisite strikes from his captain, Mbappe, who now stands on 58 goals for his country.
Barcola, at 23 years and 287 days, became the youngest Frenchman to score on his FIFA World Cup debut and he needed just over two minutes after coming on to find the net with a delicate chipped finish.
Moments later, just as Senegal threatened a comeback through 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye who became the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history at 18 years and 143 days Mbappe extinguished all hope with a thunderous long-range strike deep into stoppage time.
Mbappe Historic Milestone
After equalising Olivier Giroud record of 57 goals with a first time finish from Michael Olise defence splitting pass, the Real Madrid forward became the outright all time leading scorer for France on 58 goals with a sensational long-range finish in stoppage time.
The record breaking moment was made all the more dramatic given the context Mbappe had earlier been controversially denied a penalty following a challenge by Sadio Mane, with referee Alireza Faghani sticking with his on field decision despite being sent to the monitor by VAR.
Mbappe also overtook Just Fontaine as France top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, now reaching 14 goals in the competition putting him level with Germany legend Gerd Müller in the all time World Cup charts, behind only Ronaldo (15) and Miroslav Klose (16).
He also became only the third player to score for France across three different World Cup editions (2018, 2022, and 2026), joining Michel Platini and Dominique Rocheteau.
Norway 4-1 Iraq: Haaland Delivers on the World's Biggest Stage
Norway Return After 28 Years
Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and they did so in breathtaking style at Boston Stadium, with Erling Haaland delivering exactly what the football world had been waiting for goals on the grandest stage of his career.
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| Erling Haaland reacts after scoring his brace on his FIFA World Cup 2026 debut against Iraq at Boston Stadium. |
A Thrilling First Half
Haaland marked his World Cup debut with a goal after 28 minutes, tapping in from David Møller Wolfe low cross, and added a second before half time. In between, Iraq showed tremendous spirit. Aymen Hussein powered a header from Amir Al Ammari centre past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to bring Iraq level only Iraq second ever World Cup goal and their first in 40 years.
However, Haaland second goal came from an opportunistic piece of pressing. A weak pass back to goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was chased down by Haaland, who nipped in front and tapped home to quickly restore Norway lead before the interval.
Norway Pull Clear in the Second Half
With 14 minutes of the 90 left to play, substitute Leo Østigård ran unchallenged to meet Martin Ødegaard corner and headed home to effectively seal the match. Then, deep into stoppage time, Norway got a fourth through a Hussein own goal, completing a comprehensive victory.
Haaland brace takes his international goal tally to 57 in just 51 matches a staggering return that continues to put him among the greatest goalscorers in football history.
The Stage Is Set for a Blockbuster Clash
With both France and Norway now sitting on three points in Group I, the football world is eagerly anticipating their eventual meeting. Norway face Senegal next in the early hours of Tuesday, June 23, while Iraq face France on June 22. A Mbappe versus Haaland showdown within the group stage could be one of the defining moments of this entire tournament.
What to Watch Next in Group I
Group I is shaping up to be the most exciting group of the 2026 World Cup. With two generational talents Mbappe and Haaland both firing from the first whistle, and dark horses like Senegal and a resilient Iraq side showing flashes of quality, every remaining fixture carries enormous weight.
The tournament early narrative is already written: this is not just a competition for nations it is a personal duel between two of football greatest modern stars.