A wave of decisive results shaped the final matches of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, as France and Senegal secured their advancement to the Round of 32. The intense tournament schedule also saw Belgium dominate New Zealand and Uruguay face elimination following a loss to Spain.
France dominates Norway
The tournament progressed toward the Round of 32 with several high-scoring performances across North American host cities. In Boston, France secured a 4-1 victory over Norway to claim first place in Group I. The French offensive was led by Ousmane Dembélé, who scored a hat trick, including goals via a cross-body shot and a powerful strike, while Doué added the fourth goal for France.
Senegal secures commanding victory
In Toronto, Senegal delivered a commanding 5-0 performance against Iraq to earn three points in their group standings. The Senegalese attack was spearheaded by Ibrahima Diarra, who opened the scoring with a header, and Gueye, who scored twice within minutes of entering the match. The victory leaves Senegal waiting on final decisions regarding their progression, while Iraq has been officially eliminated from the competition.
Belgium routs New Zealand
In Vancouver, Belgium finished at the top of their group after a 5-1 rout of New Zealand. The Belgian scoring was highlighted by Leandro Trossard, who netted a brace following an assist from Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku, who added a fourth goal with a header. Saelemaekers closed out the victory with the fifth goal for Belgium. New Zealand's lone goal was scored by Elijah Just, who beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Shifts in group standings
The tournament also witnessed significant shifts in the standings for several other competing nations. In Houston, Cabo Verde successfully qualified for the Round of 32 following a draw against Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Iran played to a 1-1 stalemate.
Egypt and Iran draw
The Egyptian side saw an early advantage when Mahmoud Saber delivered a shot that beat the defense to put his team ahead, as reported by Telemundo Deportes on social media. The match ultimately ended in a tie, preventing either side from pulling away in the group standings during this critical Friday session.
US and Uruguay eliminated
The competition saw heartbreak for both the United States and Uruguay as their tournament runs faced severe setbacks. In Los Angeles, the United States suffered its first defeat of the World Cup, falling 3-2 to Turkey in a high-emotion match that lasted into stoppage time. The loss was particularly stinging as it occurred during a game filled with significant scoring shifts.
Despite the intense pressure of the match, U.S. Men's National Team player DaMarcus Beasley stated he did not have any issues with the lineups utilized by the USMNT against Turkey. In Guadalajara, Mexico, Uruguay's tournament hopes were extinguished following a 1-0 loss to Spain, which officially resulted in their elimination from the competition.
Beyond the scores on the pitch, various narratives emerged from the tournament's recent matches. In a notable display of fan culture, French supporters were observed performing the 'viking clap' to celebrate their victory over Norway.
Additionally, a peculiar trend has been noted among players during the 2026 World Cup involving their equipment. Some players, including stars such as Bukayo Saka and Leroy Sané, have been seen intentionally cutting holes in their socks. This practice is not due to equipment failure but is used by some athletes to increase comfort while playing on the pitch.
As the group stages conclude, the tournament moves into the Round of 32 in just two days. The landscape of the competition has been reshaped by the heavy scoring in Group I and the unexpected elimination of established powers like Uruguay.
