Norway and France will battle for ascendancy in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they meet at the Boston Stadium on the evening of Friday 26 June. Kick-off is at 9pm CAT.
FORM
Norway’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 has gone exceptionally well, with the Northern Europeans racking up 4-1 and 3-2 wins over Iraq and Senegal respectively – with star man Erling Haaland scoring four goals across the two matches.
The Vikings have secured a place in the knockout phase with a game to spare, but they now have the chance to make a real statement of intent when they take on two-time World Champions France.
Les Bleus have also secured progression thanks to 3-1 and 3-0 wins over Senegal and Iraq respectively. And their key forward, Kylian Mbappe, has also scored four times in total – bringing his career World Cup tally to 16 goals, just two behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record.
Yet, with both teams through to the next phase of the tournament, it would be no surprise if coaches Stale Solbakken and Didier Deschamps rotated their line-ups and rested the likes of Haaland and Mbappe. This will open the door for those who have not been starters thus far to make their case for inclusion in the knockout rounds.
In terms of winning the group, France need only draw (thanks to their superior goal difference), while Norway must win to take top spot. In the Round of 32 the winner of this group will have the benefit of facing a third-place finisher from Group C, D, F, G or H, while the runner-up will face the second-placed team from Group E (likely to be Ivory Coast).
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
Norway coach Stale Solbakken
“We will get back to our camp and make good restitution because we need that after a very tough game [against Senegal], and there will be other players who play [against France].”
France coach Didier Deschamps
“Well, records are there to be broken. And now he [Kylian Mbappe] has a symbolic figure. He has 100 caps. He's always scored goals. He will score more goals. Take [Lionel] Messi, take [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I'm not sure that Kylian will play up to their age, but as long as he's on the pitch and as he feels right, he will score a lot of goals. Every time he beats his own record, he does have the capacity to up his ante.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Norway – Alexander Sorloth
Norway may well rest Erling Haaland, which could give Alexander Sorloth the chance to start as their attacking spearhead – a rare opportunity, given that the Atletico Madrid man is often deployed on the wing for his national team.
France – Marcus Thuram
With France likely to rotate in this final group stage match, Marcus Thuram could well be handed a starting role in attack – assuming Kylian Mbappe is rested by coach Didier Deschamps. Thuram’s physicality and directness will be a good challenge to Norway’s defence.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Norway and France have met in 15 previous matches dating back as far as 1923. Les Bleus have claimed seven wins compared to four for the Vikings, while four games have been drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was a friendly in Saint-Denis in 2014 which ended in a 4-0 win for France.
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