No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Kylian Mbappé4 - 2
Erling Haaland4 - 3Leo Østigård1
- 4Bradley Barcola1
- 5Ousmane Dembélé1
- 6Marcus Pedersen1
- 1Kylian Mbappé12
- 2Erling Haaland10
- 3Ousmane Dembélé5
- 4Michael Olise5
- 5Martin Ødegaard4
- 6Leo Østigård2
- 7Alexander Sørloth2
- 8Antonio Nusa2
- 9Bradley Barcola2
- 10Kristian Thorstvedt2
- 1Dayot Upamecano6
- 2Julian Ryerson4
- 3Torbjørn Heggem3
- 4Martin Ødegaard3
- 5Jules Koundé3
- 6David Møller Wolfe2
- 7Kristoffer Ajer2
- 8Sander Berge2
- 9Bradley Barcola2
- 10Aurélien Tchouaméni2
- 1Michael Olise3
- 2Martin Ødegaard2
- 3Adrien Rabiot1
- 4David Møller Wolfe1
- 5Ousmane Dembélé1
- 6Patrick Berg1
- 1Michael Olise7
- 2Julian Ryerson4
- 3Erling Haaland3
- 4Ousmane Dembélé3
- 5Adrien Rabiot2
- 6Kylian Mbappé2
- 7Martin Ødegaard2
- 8Jules Koundé2
- 9Andreas Schjelderup2
- 10Dayot Upamecano2
- 1Dayot Upamecano145
- 2William Saliba130
- 3Torbjørn Heggem118
- 4Sander Berge118
- 5Adrien Rabiot117
- 6Jules Koundé87
- 7Kristoffer Ajer84
- 8Michael Olise84
- 9Martin Ødegaard78
- 10Manu Koné67
- 1Michael Olise5
- 2Kylian Mbappé3
- 3Ousmane Dembélé3
- 4Antonio Nusa2
- 5Bradley Barcola2
- 6Patrick Berg2
- 7Rayan Cherki1
- 8David Møller Wolfe1
- 9Torbjørn Heggem1
- 10Sander Berge1
- 1Sander Berge5
- 2Dayot Upamecano5
- 3William Saliba3
- 4Kristoffer Ajer2
- 5Aurélien Tchouaméni2
- 6David Møller Wolfe1
- 7Théo Hernández1
- 8Antonio Nusa1
- 9Bradley Barcola1
- 10Martin Ødegaard1
France look to seal top spot in Group I when they face Norway at the 2026 World Cup on Friday. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time) on Friday 26th June at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough.
Both sides go into Friday’s fixture with six points from two games, having both already secured their place in the knockout rounds. France need only a draw to confirm top spot, while Norway must win to leapfrog Les Bleus into first place. France have topped their World Cup group in each of their last three tournament appearances. Norway, meanwhile, play their first World Cup group finale since 1998.
Norway vs France predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Olise to score or assist a goal | 1/1 @ Paddy Power (50%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Olise has been France’s most consistent creative force at this tournament, registering two assists against Iraq and consistently operating in the pockets of space where he does his most damage. The Bayern Munich winger drifts inside off the right onto his stronger left foot and arrives into goalscoring positions with real purpose. Norway’s backline will be occupied containing Mbappé and Sørloth’s aerial threat, which hands Olise the freedom to pick up second balls and drive at defenders. With France expected to dominate possession in Foxborough, Olise will see plenty of the ball in dangerous areas — and at the available price, a goal or assist looks well within reach. |
| Kylian Mbappe to score anytime and Torbjorn Heggem to be carded | 15/2 @ Spreadex (11.8%) | ⭐⭐ | Mbappé enters this fixture as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with four goals in two games, and faces a Norway defence that has already conceded five times across their opening two matches. He runs directly at defenders, wins fouls in dangerous areas and carries a finishing instinct that makes him virtually impossible to contain across 90 minutes. Torbjørn Heggem will be tasked with tracking Mbappé’s movement — a thankless assignment that almost guarantees physical confrontation. Heggem has already picked up a yellow card at this tournament and faces the most direct attacker in the world on Friday night. The combination of Mbappé’s relentless running and Heggem’s aggressive defensive style makes this Bet Builder a compelling proposition in Foxborough. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into Norway vs France
Norway
Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and they have made an extraordinary impact in their comeback campaign. Erling Haaland has already scored four goals in two games – bagging a brace in each of Norway’s fixtures against Iraq and Senegal. Stale Solbakken has built a side that plays direct, physical, high-intensity football and backs itself to score against anyone.
Norway have outscored their opponents across both group games and emerged as one of the tournament’s potential dark horses. Martin Odegaard has provided creativity and assists throughout, while Alexander Sorloth adds an aerial and physical threat alongside Haaland up front. The partnership has caused both Iraq and Senegal genuine problems.
Haaland himself has been refreshingly honest about Friday’s fixture, admitting he does not care too much about the result now Norway have qualified, and suggesting France will likely win both the match and the tournament. Those comments will not go unnoticed in the France camp. Norway arrive as the underdogs – but this squad has the quality to spring a genuine surprise if France underestimate them
France
France have reached the last two World Cup finals and carry the weight of genuine tournament favourites into Foxborough. Deschamps’ side beat Senegal 3-1 on matchday one before dismantling Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia. The attacking depth at Deschamps’ disposal is simply unmatched at this tournament.
Mbappe has now scored four World Cup goals at this tournament and continues his chase of Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record. Michael Olise claimed two assists against Iraq and his chemistry with Mbappe grows with every game. Ousmane Dembele scored his first World Cup goal against Iraq after featuring at three consecutive World Cups without one.
France have won 11 of their last 13 fixtures and have lost just one of their last 14 World Cup matches. Deschamps will not set his side up to protect a draw. He wants top spot and the most favourable possible knockout draw. Norway’s backline will face the most dangerous attack at this tournament in Foxborough
Norway team news
Julian Ryerson is set to miss out with a knock, affording Marcus Pedersen his first start of the tournament at right-back. Orjan Nyland continues in goal behind a back four of Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem and David Moller Wolfe.
Haaland and Odegaard have both been linked with possible rotation given Norway’s qualification is already secure, but neither has been confirmed as rested ahead of Friday. Their involvement remains the most significant team news question in Group I. Solbakken may choose to protect both players for the knockout rounds – a decision that would significantly alter the balance of this fixture.
Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes are expected in central midfield. Antonio Nusa operates from the left and carries a real counter-attacking threat. Both teams have scored in eight of Norway’s last nine matches – a run that suggests goals will flow regardless of rotation.
France team news
France carry no injury concerns heading into Friday’s fixture. Deschamps has a full squad available and faces genuinely difficult selection decisions given the quality at his disposal.
Mike Maignan continues in goal behind a back four of Malo Gusto, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Théo Hernandez. Arsenal’s William Saliba has marshalled France’s defence throughout the group stage and faces his sternest examination of the tournament against Haaland and Sorloth’s physical partnership.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone anchor the midfield. Mbappe leads the line with Olise and Dembele expected to operate in support. Rayan Cherki, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola all push for starting berths – such is the depth of attacking talent available to Deschamps that several Champions League regulars face the prospect of starting from the bench.
Head-to-Head
France and Norway have met 14 times across all competitions, with France winning seven, Norway three and four matches finishing level. The last meeting ended in a 4-0 France win in May 2014.
Who will prevail and emerge on top in Group I?
Both nations enter Friday’s finale with qualification already secured but plenty still to play for. France need only a draw to confirm top spot and a potentially more favourable knockout draw. Norway need to win – and with Haaland, Odegaard and Sorloth available, they carry the firepower to do exactly that.
We’re backing Michael Olise to continue his excellent form. Paddy Power are offering evens for Michael Olise to score or assist a goal with one of their price boosts. It looks like a value play.
For those looking for a bigger price, we like the look of Kylian Mbappe to score anytime and Torbjorn Heggem to be carded at 15/2 with Spreadex.
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