FRANCE I RANK: 1 I
BEST RESULT: CHAMPIONS (1998, 2018)
When France start their World Cup against Senegal at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, it will bring back memories of the 2002 opener in Seoul, South Korea, when the Lions of Teranga upset Les Bleus in a match that sparked dancing in the streets of Dakar. With a title, Les Bleus would become just the fifth nation with three or more championships, joining Brazil (5), Germany and Italy (4 each) and Argentina (3). Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot at the 2022 tournament, when he scored eight goals and joined England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 as the only players with a hat trick in a men’s World Cup final. Since winning the 2018 tournament, France have lost to Switzerland in the round of 16 at the European Championship in 2021, to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final and to Spain in a Euro 2024 semifinal.
NORWAY I
RANK: 31 I BEST RESULT: ROUND OF 16 (1938, 1998) In the World Cup for just the fourth time and first time since 1998, Norway are led by 25-year-old Erling Haaland, among the world’s most prolific strikers. He has topped 30 goals in four straight seasons for Manchester City and with 55 international goals is his nation’s career leader. His father, Alfie, played for Norway at the 1994 World Cup in the US.
SENEGAL I
RANK: 14 I BEST RESULT: QFs (2002) The Lions of Teranga are heading to their third consecutive World Cup amid a dispute with Morocco over who are the legitimate African champion. Senegal defeated Morocco in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in January but were stripped of the title because of team conduct near the game’s end. Senegal have appealed the decision. Sadio Mané, now, 34, is his nation’s leading scorer with 53 international goals. Other top players include goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, midfielder Idrissa Gueye and defender Kalidou Koulibaly
IRAQ I RANK: 57 I
BEST RESULT: GROUP STAGE (1986) The Lions of Mesopotamia beat Bolivia in a playoff to reach their first World Cup since 1986, when they went 0-3. Top players include 30-yearold striker Aymen Hussein, fifth on his nation’s scoring list with 33 international goals; forward Mohanad Ali; and midfielder Amir AlAmmari.
