All four positions in Group I remain undecided as France, Norway, Senegal, and Iraq head into the final round of fixtures.

Although France and Norway have already secured the top two spots in Group I, every place in the standings is still technically available ahead of Friday’s concluding group matches.

Norway and France will go head-to-head for first place at Gillette Stadium in Boston, while Senegal and Iraq will play simultaneously at BMO Field in Toronto.

Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 3 pm local time (8 pm UK time), with English referees appointed for both fixtures — a pleasant coincidence for the fans back home.

Pos

Team

Pld

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Pts

1

France

3

3

0

0

10

2

8

9

2

Norway

3

2

0

1

8

7

1

6

3

Senegal

3

1

0

2

9

6

3

4

4

Iraq

3

0

0

3

1

11

−10

0

The implications of both fixtures are quite straightforward given the results so far in the group stage.

France and Norway begin the day level on six points and already assured of qualification for the knockout stage, while Senegal and Iraq are both yet to earn a single point in the tournament.

France currently lead the group on goal difference, meaning that anything other than a Norway win would see Les Bleus progress as group winners, with Norway advancing as runners-up.

The group winner will face the third-placed side from either Group D, F, or G at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, June 29, in the round of 32.

The potential opponents could be Paraguay, Sweden, or one of the teams from the still wide-open Group G — which includes Egypt, Iran, Belgium, and New Zealand — all of whom remain in contention for third place.

The runners-up, meanwhile, will face Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, June 30.

France manager Didier Deschamps will miss the match, having returned home to attend his mother’s funeral.

Senegal and Iraq will meet with hopes of securing a large enough win to be considered among the best eight third-placed teams.

Iraq’s chances are extremely slim; with a -6 goal difference, they would likely need a victory by at least 5-0 to have any realistic chance of advancing.

Senegal, who have a -3 goal difference and have scored three goals so far, require a two-goal win to potentially rank as the best third-placed side among those on three points.

A draw between Iraq and Senegal would confirm elimination for both teams from the competition.