Group I was circled as the closest thing this World Cup has to a group of death. With France, Norway and Senegal, that group has largely delivered with high-scoring matches featuring goals from the biggest stars.Now, France and Norway meet in a star-studded, highly anticipated matchup while Senegal fights for its life against Iraq.Here’s a look at what is at stake for each of the 12 teams in action on Friday. If you’re placing bets or in a pick ’em pool, this is your guide on how the teams are likely to play given the scenarios they face. Advancement percentages are from The Athletic’s World Cup predictor.Group INorway vs. FranceStandings: France (6 points, 1st), Norway (6 points, 2nd)Time: 3 p.m. ETTV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.France scenarios: Wins group with a win or draw, already advancedNorway scenarios: Wins group with a win, already advancedThis is arguably the best matchup of the group stage, especially after both teams won each of their first two games. France has looked like, well, France, and is the current favorite to win it all. Norway has lived up to its billing as a dark-horse contender. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have both scored four goals so far, scoring twice in each match so far.France appears to be a fully operational Death Star, and Norway has the player who most resembles the hulking figure of Darth Vader.Norway needs to win to win the group, while France only needs a draw, but there doesn’t appear to be a major benefit to doing so. Neither team would play a group winner in the Round of 32. In the Round of 16, the group winner would be paired with Germany and the runner-up with Brazil. Pick your poison.Senegal vs. IraqStandings: Senegal (0 points, 3rd), Iraq (0 points, 4th)Time: 3 p.m. ETTV: FS1 (English), Universo (Spanish)Venue: BMO Field, TorontoSenegal scenarios: Could advance with a win (77%), eliminated with a draw or lossIraq scenarios: Unlikely to advance with a win (5%), eliminated with a draw or lossSenegal entered this tournament with high expectations, but has lost its first two matches. Such is the draw of being in the same group as France and suddenly strong Norway. The Africans can still advance, but may need to run up the score a bit.A win gets Senegal to three points, which puts the team squarely on the bubble to advance as a third-place team. Entering with a minus-3 goal differential makes things dicey. Any win puts Senegal ahead of Scotland (3 points, minus-3 differential), but a two-goal win also puts them ahead of South Korea (3 points, minus-1 differential) on goals scored. Each goal could matter.The same goes even more so for Iraq, which also must win to have a chance, but enters with a deeper goal differential hole (minus-6) to dig out of. This game could be open as both teams go for it.Group HUruguay vs. SpainStandings: Spain (4 points, 1st), Uruguay (2 points, 2nd)Time: 8 p.m. ETTV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)Venue: Estadio Akron, GuadalajaraSpain scenarios: Wins group with a win, advances with a draw, almost certainly advances with a loss (>99%)
World Cup odds, best bets for Friday’s matches including France-Norway
Three more groups conclude on Friday including Group I and the marquee match between France and Norway.













