Norway and France meet in the 2026 World Cup on Friday at 8pm (UK time), with top spot in Group I up for grabs.
France go into the game top of the group so only need a draw seal a first-placed finish. Les Bleus have won both of their opening matches, laying down a marker for the tournament. The 2022 runners-up won their opening game in a tough matchup against Senegal eventually running out 3-1 winners. France were a bit more comfortable in their second match, securing a 3-0 win over Iraq.
Norway trail France on goal difference, so need to beat their European rivals to seal top spot. But their place in the last-32 is already secure. Like France, Norway have won both of their games so far, opening the tournament with a 4-1 victory against Iraq. Things weren’t as secure in Norway’s second match, but they beat Senegal 3-2 to book a first World Cup knockout appearance since 1998.
This will be the 17 game between France and Norway, and Les Bleus hold the slight advantage. They’ve won seven of the 16 meetings so far, including the last, but that was back in 2014.
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Norway team news
Norway team news
Stale Solbakken has named the same starting lineup for both of Norway’s World Cup game so far, but he is unlikely to make it three in a row. Julian Ryerson had to come off injured in the 13th minute against Senegal due to injury. He had already been managing an issue before the risk was taken, and that won’t be repeated this time around. Marcus Pedersen came on to replace Ryerson, and should start at right-back with David Moller Wolfe on the left.
There is also a question mark surrounding Torbjorn Heggem, who had to come off late on. He’s another who may not be risked, so Leo Ostigard could be in line to start at centre-back alongside Kristoffer Ajer. Patrick Berg may come into the midfield in place of Fredrik Aursnes, whom he replaced at half-time against Senegal.
Solbakken won’t want to make too many changes to the attack with top spot on the line, but Oscar Bobb could come in to replace Alexander Sorloth on the right-wing. Erling Haaland is still certain to lead the line, setting up a thrilling striker matchup, while Antonio Nusa should start on the left.
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France team news
Didier Deschamps won’t be in the dugout for this game, flying back to France following the death of his mother. His assistant Guy Stephan will take charge, and he’s likely to keep with the majority of the players from the first two matches. There were two differences between the starting lineups, so Stephan does have a decision or two to make.
He may opt to start Desire Doue over Bradley Barcola, given the latter’s struggles against Iraq. But the rest of the attack should stay the same, including Michael Olise playing in the No.10 rather than on the right. Ousmane Dembele will continue on the right, with Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Mbappe will relish the chance to go head-to-head with Haaland in the battle of the strikers.
Further back, Manu Kone could keep his spot in the starting XI having replaced Aurelien Tchouameni as Adrien Rabiot’s partner. There could be a change at centre-back, though. William Saliba has been struggled with a knock so may drop out to rest, with Ibrahima Konate coming in to replace him. Jules Kounde should continue at right-back, while Lucas Hernandez may return on the left, with Mike Maignan in goal.
Norway vs France predicted lineups
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa.
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, Hernandez; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
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