World Cup 2026 preview: Groups I-L – Football Weekly
6/10/202653 min
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Liew and Philippe Auclair to preview Groups I-L. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMax Rushden· Host0:00
This is The Guardian. [upbeat music] Hello, and welcome to The Guardian Football Weekly World Cup Previews Group I to L. Group L, how long before teams are in Group Z, knocking it into Row Z? England and the rest of Group L can wait until the end as we continue alphabetically. Group I, France and their squad, goodness. Uh, but a tricky group. Senegal and Norway, and a tough old draw for Iraq. All the sides in Group J begin with A. Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and, uh, Jordan. Okay, three of them do. Group K, Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. And then Group L, can Tuchel's boys do it? England, those Croatians, I don't have to say it, Ghana, and Panama. This is The Guardian Football Weekly. [upbeat music] All right, previewing these four groups, Johnny Luu, welcome.
Jonathan Wilson· Panelist1:00
Hello.
Max Rushden· Host1:00
Bonjour, ca va, Philippe Auclair?
Philippe Auclair· Panelist1:02
Ca va, mon vieux.
Max Rushden· Host1:04
And hello, Barry Glendenning.
Speaker 31:05
Bonjour.
Max Rushden· Host1:06
Okay then- [laughs] ... Group I, uh, France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. France managed still by Didier Deschamps. Won it, of course, uh, in '98 and 2018. Runners up last time. Senegal, managed by Papio. Uh, got to the quarterfinals in 2002. Last 16 last time out. Iraq, managed by the Australian Graham Arnold. Best ever is the group stages. Uh, and Norway managed by Stale Solbakken. Got to the round of 16 in 1998.