Norway vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Boston hosts the conclusion of Group I for Norway and France with the two European nations both looking strong as they challenge for top spot heading into the knockout stages.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Norway preview: Entertaining Norwegians
Norway come into this one on the back of an entertaining 3-2 victory against Senegal in New York/New Jersey in their most recent outing. Erling Haaland notched a second brace of the tournament as the Norwegians booked their spot in the round of 32, playing at a first FIFA World Cup in 28 years.
The reason that they have qualified for the tournament is because of the impressive form and cohesion they found with their star-studded so-called 'golden generation' under Stale Solbakken. That 3-2 win against Senegal was the 13th time they have scored three or more goals in their last 20 matches.
France preview: Fun up-front
France have also already booked their spot in the round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026 with Les Bleus hammering Iraq by three goals to nil in Philadelphia, with the game delayed by two hours at half-time due to weather. France's own star striker, Kylian Mbappe, also got his second brace of the tournament in that game.
The French are in what is Didier Deschamps' last tournament as manager with the FIFA World Cup 1998 and FIFA World Cup 2018 winner leaving at the end of this tournament, which is his seventh in charge. He will not be in the dugout for this one as he is back in France, mourning the passing of his mother.
Norway team news: Ryerson a doubt
Further team news will appear after pre-match press conferences...
Norway are expected to be without Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson after he was forced off through injury against Senegal early on, replaced by Marcus Pedersen, who then opened the scoring for the Norwegians.
Aside from that, it would be a bit of a surprise for Solbakken to make any other changes as Norway seek to remain strong to pip the French to top spot.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland
Unavailable:
Questionable: Ryerson (Injured)
France team news: Attacking intent
Further team news will appear after pre-match press conferences...
France are playing with a lot more attacking intent and intensity than they have done in previous tournaments, with Michael Olise in fine form alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
The French made three changes for their second game against Iraq with Lucas Digne replacing Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone coming in for Aurelien Tchouameni and Desire Doue being replaced by Bradley Barcola.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Norway’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Marcus Pedersen ($4.0m) – Defender
Martin Odegaard ($7.7m) – Midfielder
Erling Haaland ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Erling Haaland
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Erling Haaland
Free kicks: Martin Odegaard
Corners: Martin Odegaard
France’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Michael Olise ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Kylian Mbappe ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Kylian Mbappe
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Kylian Mbappe
Free kicks: Michael Olise
Corners: Michael Olise
Key stats
- Coming soon
Norway vs France prediction
Norway play some of the most entertaining football at this FIFA World Cup with an array of attacking stars that can be somewhat undermined by lapses of quality and concentration at the back. They have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine matches.
France are expected to be posed a few more questions than the limited Iraqis managed to the other day but the pace and technical quality of their own frontline should mean they also punish an often lax Norwegian defence.
A high-scoring clash seems all but inevitable for this final game in Group I as the two sides challenge for top spot.
Norway vs France betting tip: Over 2.5 goals
