Group I of the 2026 World Cup kicks off this week, featuring France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. While the headlines will inevitably focus on established stars like Sadio Mané or Kylian Mbappé, this group is loaded with younger talents ready to announce themselves on the biggest stage. Here are four players—one from each team—who could steal the spotlight.
Maghnes Akliouche (France)
AS Monaco limped to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, but Akliouche was a bright spot. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder, nicknamed ‘Little Prince’ for his playing style and his club, draws comparisons to Antoine Griezmann. He combines silky left-footed playmaking with a willingness to defend—his 99th-percentile recovery rate (5.40 per game) proves he’s no luxury player. Akliouche was initially seen as Griezmann’s heir for France, but his first senior call-up came a year later than expected after Griezmann retired from international duty. He stayed patient, ignored overtures from Algeria, and forced his way into Didier Deschamps’ squad with a first assist against Iceland in October and a debut goal against Azerbaijan in November. This World Cup is his chance to prove he belongs.
Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)
At just 18 years old, Mbaye is already a two-time Champions League winner with PSG—and the youngest player ever to start for the Parisian club. He joins a Senegal side that already boasts Iliman Ndiaye (who dazzled for Everton this season), Sadio Mané, and Kalidou Koulibaly. But Mbaye brings something different: raw physicality and explosive pace. Capable of playing both wings, he’s a second-half battering ram off the bench. According to reports, PSG sees him as a generational talent, and he’s already proving it at club level. The question is whether he can translate that into World Cup minutes—and if he does, he could become Africa’s next breakout star.
Zidane Iqbal (Iraq)
Iraq’s midfield general, Zidane Iqbal, has a fascinating backstory. Born in England to an English father and Iraqi mother, he came through Manchester United’s Carrington academy and even played a Champions League match against Young Boys in 2021. He never broke into United’s first team, but he rebuilt his career at Utrecht in the Eredivisie, where his dynamic passing and long-range shooting made him a key piece. Injuries limited him to 14 appearances this season, but when fit, he’s Iraq’s most creative outlet. Coach Graham Arnold is counting on him to unlock defenses in Group I, and Iqbal’s ability to thread passes or rip shots from distance makes him a genuine threat. He’s been linked with a move to a bigger European club, and a strong World Cup could seal that transfer.
Oscar Bobb (Norway)
Pep Guardiola once said Oscar Bobb could play five different positions—anywhere in attack and in some midfield roles. The 22-year-old right winger has that rare confidence on the ball that separates good players from great ones. He reads spaces intelligently, uses sharp dribbling to shed defenders, and finishes with composure. Bobb developed at Manchester City but was sold to Fulham for around $34 million in January 2026. That move was seen as a necessary step for his growth—regular Premier League minutes were hard to come by at the Etihad. Now, alongside Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, he gives Norway a third serious attacking weapon. If he can link up with those two, Norway could be the surprise package of Group I.
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