Norway and France meet in the final Group I fixture of the 2026 Football World Cup with both teams already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages. After winning their opening two matches, the focus now shifts from qualification to finishing top of the group, making this an important contest despite both nations already securing six points.
Norway have enjoyed an impressive return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. Ståle Solbakken’s side opened their campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq before edging Senegal 3-2 in an entertaining contest. Erling Haaland has once again proven to be the difference in front of goal, while Martin Ødegaard continues to dictate play from midfield as Norway look to carry their excellent form into the knockout rounds.
France have also started the tournament strongly. Didier Deschamps’ side defeated Senegal 3-1 before recording a comfortable 3-0 victory against Iraq. Although Les Bleus have not always played at full intensity, they have consistently found ways to control matches, with Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé providing creativity and goals in the final third.
With top spot in Group I still undecided, this promises to be an intriguing encounter between Norway’s direct attacking approach and France’s controlled possession-based football.
Norway Tactical Analysis
Norway are expected to continue with their 4-3-3 formation, but their approach against France is likely to be built around defensive discipline and quick transitions rather than controlling possession. They understand France will enjoy long spells on the ball, so remaining compact without possession will be one of the biggest priorities throughout the match.
The midfield will have an important role in protecting central areas while limiting the space available between the defensive lines. Martin Ødegaard remains the key player when Norway regain possession, as his vision and passing allow the team to move from defence to attack within seconds. Instead of building patiently, Norway often look for early vertical passes towards Erling Haaland or into the channels for Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth.
Set-pieces also remain one of Norway’s biggest strengths. With physically dominant players such as Kristoffer Ajer and Leo Østigård attacking crosses into the penalty area, they carry a genuine aerial threat whenever they win corners or free-kicks.
Defensively, Norway are likely to drop into a compact mid-to-low block, forcing France into wider areas before looking to recover possession and counter quickly. If they can remain organised while taking advantage of transitions, they have the quality to make life difficult for one of the tournament favourites.
Norway World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers
Ørjan Håskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).
Defenders
Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Møller Wolfe (Wolves), Fredrik Bjørkan (Bodø/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjørn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Østigård (Genoa), Sondre Langaas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).
Midfielders
Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodø/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).
Forwards
Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid), Jørgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodø/Glimt).
Norway Players to Watch
Erling Haaland
Haaland continues to be Norway’s biggest attacking weapon. His movement inside the penalty area, physical presence and clinical finishing have once again been on display during the tournament. After another strong start to the World Cup, he remains the player France will need to contain if they are to control the match.
Martin Ødegaard
Ødegaard is the creative heartbeat of this Norwegian side. He dictates the tempo, links midfield with attack and looks to release runners as quickly as possible after possession is regained. His ability to find Haaland with early passes makes him one of Norway’s most influential players.
Antonio Nusa
Nusa offers pace, direct running and unpredictability on the left wing. His willingness to attack defenders one-on-one gives Norway another outlet during counter-attacks, particularly when space opens behind advanced full-backs.
Marcus Holmgren Pedersen
Pedersen’s defensive discipline will be crucial against France’s dangerous left side. He is expected to spend much of the match dealing with Kylian Mbappé or Bradley Barcola while also supporting Norway’s counter-attacks whenever opportunities arise.
Our Predicted Lineup for Norway
4-3-3
GK: Ørjan Nyland
RB: Marcus Holmgren Pedersen
CB: Kristoffer Ajer
CB: Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem
LB: David Møller Wolfe
CM: Martin Ødegaard
CM: Sander Berge
CM: Fredrik Aursnes
RW: Alexander Sørloth
ST: Erling Haaland
LW: Antonio Nusa
France Tactical Analysis
France are expected to continue with their 4-2-3-1 formation, although their approach against Norway could be more measured than in their previous two matches. With qualification already secured, Les Bleus do not need to force the tempo from the opening whistle. Instead, they are likely to focus on controlling possession, limiting Norway’s counter-attacking opportunities and patiently creating openings in the final third.
A key feature of France’s build-up play is their ability to overload one side of the pitch before quickly switching the point of attack. Players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise often drift into central areas, creating numerical advantages between the lines and allowing the full-backs to provide width when required. This movement makes it difficult for opponents to stay compact while also opening passing lanes into dangerous areas.
The midfield is expected to play an important role in controlling transitions. Whether Aurélien Tchouaméni or Manu Koné starts alongside Adrien Rabiot, the objective will be to recycle possession quickly while preventing Norway from releasing Erling Haaland on the counter-attack. Rather than committing too many players forward, France may keep a more balanced structure to avoid leaving space behind the defensive line.
In attack, Kylian Mbappé remains the focal point. His movement across the front line, combined with the creativity of Dembélé and Olise, gives France several ways to unlock organised defences. Overall, this is likely to be a controlled performance built around patience, possession and individual quality rather than constant high-intensity pressing.
France World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers
Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes).
Defenders
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernández (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders
N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards
Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
France Players to Watch
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé has once again demonstrated why he is one of the world’s most dangerous forwards. Four goals in France’s opening two matches highlight his ability to decide games, whether attacking space behind the defence or finishing chances inside the penalty area. Norway’s back line will need to remain alert throughout the match because Mbappé requires very few opportunities to make an impact.
Michael Olise
Olise has been France’s main creative outlet so far, already registering three assists in the tournament. His ability to drift inside, combine with teammates and deliver decisive passes has made him one of the most influential players in the final third. His link-up play with Mbappé could prove crucial against Norway’s compact defensive block.
Aurélien Tchouaméni
Tchouaméni provides the balance that allows France’s attacking players to express themselves. His positioning, ball recovery and ability to control transitions make him essential against a side that prefers to attack quickly through Haaland and Ødegaard.
Désiré Doué
Doué brings pace, direct running and width whenever he is introduced. His willingness to attack defenders one-on-one gives France another dimension in wide areas, particularly against teams that defend with a narrow shape. If he features against Norway, his movement could stretch the defence and create additional space for Mbappé.
Our Predicted Lineup for France
4-2-3-1
GK: Mike Maignan
LB: Lucas Digne
CB: Dayot Upamecano
CB: William Saliba
RB: Jules Koundé
CM: Adrien Rabiot
CM: Manu Koné
LW: Bradley Barcola
AM: Ousmane Dembélé
RW: Michael Olise
ST: Kylian Mbappé
Norway vs France Tactical Battle
This match presents an interesting contrast between Norway’s direct attacking style and France’s patient, possession-based approach. Although both teams have already secured qualification for the knockout stage, finishing first in Group I remains an important objective.
Norway are likely to spend long periods without possession and defend in a compact mid-block, looking to reduce the space available between the lines. Their biggest opportunity will come when they regain the ball. Martin Ødegaard will try to release Erling Haaland quickly with direct forward passes, while Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth look to exploit the spaces left behind France’s full-backs. Set-pieces could also become an important weapon, with Norway possessing several physically dominant players capable of attacking deliveries into the penalty area.
France, meanwhile, will aim to control the rhythm of the match through sustained possession and intelligent movement. Players such as Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to drift into central areas to create overloads, allowing Kylian Mbappé to attack spaces behind the defence. The midfield pairing of Adrien Rabiot and Manu Koné should also help limit Norway’s counter-attacking opportunities by recovering possession quickly after losing the ball.
The key battle may come in midfield. If Ødegaard finds enough space to launch quick attacks, Norway can create dangerous moments despite seeing less of the ball. However, if France dominate possession and prevent those transitions from developing, they should gradually take control of the contest.
Norway vs France Recent Match Performance
| Match Statistic | Iraq vs Norway (1–4) | Norway vs Senegal (3–2) | France vs Senegal (3–1) | France vs Iraq (3–0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected Goals | 2.52 | 2.20 | 1.79 | 2.67 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Possession (%) | 61% | 42% | 53% | 56% |
| Corner Kicks | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Fouls | 13 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| Throw-ins | 22 | 16 | 9 | 17 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 3 | — | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — | — | — |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Goal Kicks | 9 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Crosses | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Our Match Favourite
After analysing both teams, our view on this fixture is that very little separates them heading into the final group match. Norway have exceeded expectations since returning to the World Cup, winning their opening two matches through a disciplined defensive structure and clinical finishing. Their ability to attack quickly through Ødegaard and Haaland means they remain dangerous against any opponent, even when they are not dominating possession.
France, however, have looked comfortable throughout the group stage. They have managed games well, created chances consistently and relied on the quality of players such as Mbappé, Olise and Dembélé to make the difference when required. Their balanced midfield has also limited opponents’ opportunities to counter-attack, something that will be important against Norway.
With both nations already qualified, this could become a more controlled encounter than their previous matches. Norway have enough attacking quality to trouble France, while Les Bleus possess the experience and composure to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Taking everything into account, this feels like a fixture where neither side will do enough to pull away, making a 1-1 draw the outcome that best reflects the tactical matchup and current form.
Norway and France Comparison
| Comparison | Norway | France |
|---|---|---|
| World Ranking in Football | 22 | 2 |
| World Cup Participations | 4 | 17 |
| Consecutive Group Stage Qualifications | 1 (2026) | 8 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) |
| Head Coach | Ståle Solbakken | Didier Deschamps |
| Overall World Cup Record | 8 matches, 2 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses | 73 matches, 39 wins, 14 draws, 20 losses |
| Best World Cup Finish | Round of 16 (1938, 1998) | Winners (1998, 2018) |
| Form (Last 5 Matches) | D W D W W | W L W W W |
| Head-to-head | 4 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses | 7 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses |
| Recent Major Achievement | No recent major honours | World Cup winners 2018, runners-up 2022 |
Match Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Norway vs France |
| Competition | Football World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group I |
| Date | Friday 26th June |
| Stadium | Boston Stadium |
| Location | Boston, United States |
| Kick-off Time | 20.00 UK Time |
| Referee | Michael Oliver |