The World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada has already started, but only some groups have seen action in the last week. In the coming days, it is Group I‘s turn, with France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.
As in every World Cup, the stage is ideal for discovering new gems or seeing them enhanced. This tournament is seen as a catapult that can boost the careers of young talents who know they are being watched globally.
That is why we have prepared a list of one player per country from Group I who could make some noise. They are not exactly “unknown” talents, but they still have a lot to prove, and this date in North America could be their moment.
Group I World Cup: Four Hidden Gems to Watch
France: Maghnes Akliouche
Wrapped in the sad reality that AS Monaco is living, having barely managed to finish seventh in the past Ligue 1 season, Maghnes Akliouche is fully aware that he has a golden opportunity to show himself to the world on a highest-level stage.
Without his partner Ben Seghir, now at Bayer Leverkusen, on the left wing, Akliouche ended up overshadowing the entire offensive output of this sad Monaco side, starting from the right attacking-midfield position.
The nickname ‘Little Prince’ not only comes from the fact that he plays for Monaco. It also comes from his similarities to Antoine Griezmann. He is a talented attacking midfielder who links up play, has an exquisite left foot, but is not afraid to drop back and defend. This is reflected in his 99th-percentile recovery rate (5.40).
Akliouche was one of the men destined to pick up the baton from Griezmann in France. However, his first call-up was delayed by a year after Antoine decided to retire from the national team. But he was patient and knew how to wait for his moment, despite the constant flirtations coming from Algeria.
Since then, despite the competition in the attacking midfield, he has not stepped off France’s train on the way to the World Cup. Nor has he given any reason to do so, as he distributed his first assist against Iceland in October and scored his first goal against Azerbaijan in November.
Senegal: Ibrahim Mbaye
The great sensation of the last World Cup was African (Morocco), and there is a “finalist” of the continental tournament (they won the match, although the title was later taken away from them) that wants to occupy that place in 2026.
To talents like Iliman Ndiaye, a winger of such technical purity that he enchanted the entire Premier League this season with Everton, or established stars who have won everything at club level like Sadio Mane or Kalidou Koulibaly, a young man destined to lead the new generation is added.
Ibrahim Mbaye is already a two-time consecutive Champions League champion with PSG despite being only 18 years old. The youngest player to start for the Parisian giant is a physical specimen who could destroy any defense coming off the bench in the second half.
Capable of playing on both wings, but with a burst of pace that makes him lethal in front of goal. Speed and pure power.
Iraq: Zidane Iqbal
Zidane Iqbal could be one of the great weapons in coach Graham Arnold’s arsenal at the World Cup. The 23-year-old midfielder was once a name that seemed capable of great things at Carrington, that is, the Manchester United academy.
Of English origin but with Iraqi nationality through his mother, he played a few games for the Red Devils, highlighting one Champions League match in 2021 against Young Boys. However, he failed to establish himself at the Manchester club.
He is a differential player in front of the area, whether by taking a shot from medium distance or providing the final pass. He is dynamic and, over time, became an important piece for the Dutch side Utrecht. In the current campaign, he played only 14 matches, as an injury kept him off the field for just under two months.
Norway: Oscar Bobb
Oscar Bobb’s primary position on the field is right winger, although Pep Guardiola himself was surprised at the time by the Norwegian’s versatility, even saying that he can play in up to 5 different positions, anywhere in attack and in some midfield areas. What is most impressive at his age is the confidence he has with the ball at his feet (and without it).
He knows when and how to attack the opponent’s spaces, using good dribbling to shake off his markers and reach the goal. Manchester City had a diamond yet to be fully polished, but now he is destined to bring those promised joys to Fulham, the club he was transferred to for around $34 million in January 2026.
