World Cup 2026 action continued on Friday night with a battle for Group I supremacy in Boston as Norway faced pre-tournament favourites France. Ousmane Dembele scored a first half hat-trick as France won 4-1 to progress as group winners. Both nations arrived in Boston already guaranteed a place in the round of 32 after winning their opening two matches, though Les Bleus just needed to avoid defeat.
Norway, needing a win to leapfrog France, made the surprising decision by leaving Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard on the bench, slumping to a 4-1 defeat and will now face Ivory Coast next Tuesday.
France, meanwhile, are still to discover their opponents in the knockout phase and completed the rout in second half stoppage time when Desire Doue scored his first World Cup goal with a cushioned header. Norway did have chances, most notably through Jorgen Strand Larsen but he had a poor penalty saved by Mike Maignan. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge at the Boston Stadium.
Norway vs France latest news
- GOAL! Doue makes it a rout
- PENALTY SAVED! Strand Larsen denied from the spot
- GOAL! Dembele completes hat-trick
- GOAL! Asgaard gives Norway hope
- GOAL! Dembele scores his second
- GOAL! Dembele puts France ahead after seven minutes
FULL-TIME
22:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Norway 1-4 France
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
And there it is, the cherry on top. A long-awaited fourth goal. Wonderful work in the build-up from Barcola, who was, in my mind, unlucky not to start today. Pinpoint cross for the unmarked Doue to knock home. Tidy.
GOAL! Norway 1-4 France | Desire Doue ‘90+4
21:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+4 min: GOALLLLL
Barcola picks out Doue and the PSG man finds the net with a cushioned header.
Norway 1-3 France
21:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+2 min: Hernandez powers forward from left-back and elects to shoot, leaning back though and his effort flies over the bar.
Norway 1-3 France
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: Into FIVE minutes of stoppage time.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
As France close in on a pretty routine win here, their supporters are mimicking the Norwegian rowing celebration. Salt in the wounds.
Norway 1-3 France
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
86 min: No goal for Mbappe today, he is replaced by Mateta. Gusto is also on in place of Kounde.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is being readied to come on for his World Cup debut at the ripe old age of 28.
Norway 1-3 France
21:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
83 min: Norway make a double change right before a corner as Schjelderup and Bobb make way for Nusa and Hauge.
That means no Haaland appearance tonight.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Fans here still singing for Haaland. Solbakken, though, is standing stoic in his technical area, pretending he can't hear them.
Norway 1-3 France
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
81 min: Great burst of acceleration from Barcola and he gets to the byline but sees his cut-back cleared for a corner and that comes to nothing, though France are able to keep possession until Cherki loses it to Schjelderup.
Norway 1-3 France
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
78 min: Bobb hears the call from Berg to leave the ball and does but the Norway midfielder’s shot is charged down. France happy to sit in now, not seen a great deal from Cherki or Barcola in an attacking sense.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Bad news for any Scots out there as Senegal go four clear against Iraq. That cuts the odds of progression for Steve Clarke's side dramatically.
Norway 1-3 France
21:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
75 min: Konate takes the place of Upamecano for France. Squad players getting some minutes.
Norway 1-3 France
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
74 min: Whether it’s a case of France dropping off since the break but Norway have certainly had their moments in the second half and should be level.
Tchouameni booked for a foul.
Norway 1-3 France
21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
72 min: CHANCE!
Bobb with a golden chance to reduce the deficit as he is put clean through on goal, but shoots straight at Maignan.
Norway 1-3 France
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
71 min: Back underway after the hydration break.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Fans all around the ground are singing for Erling Haaland to be introduced. Somehow, you doubt Solbakken will bend to their whim.
Elsewhere, it seems it has been too long since the last goal and fans are getting restless, so a Mexican wave is deployed. Thank god.
Norway 1-3 France
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
68 min: Senegal now leading 3-0 against Iraq. Doing their chances of qualifying as one of the best third-place teams no harm.
Over in Boston, it’s time for another hydration break.
Norway 1-3 France
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
66 min: Here comes another Norway change as Langas replaces Falchener.
Norway 1-3 France
21:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
65 min: A couple of France changes. A standing ovation for Dembele as he’s replaced by Barcola, while Olise makes way for Cherki.
Norway 1-3 France
21:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
64 min: Good run from Mbappe and he does well to hold off a challenge before seeing his effort charged down. Did have Olise in space to his left.
Norway 1-3 France
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: Latest score from the other Group I game and Senegal have doubled their lead against Iraq.
More bad news for Scotland.
Norway 1-3 France
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
61 min: Lacroix arrives at the back post to meet Olise’s free-kick, but the Crystal Palace defender can’t turn his effort goalwards and the ball bounces out of play.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Remarkable how unselfish Dembele has been since completing his hat-trick.
He has worked his way into plenty of shooting positions but opted to pass every time.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The French fans to the right of the press box have hung up a banner reading "Avec toi, Didier" - "With you, Didier."
A message of support for the France manager, who is not present for this match after his mother passed away this week.
Norway 1-3 France
21:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
58 min: Selvik is fine to continue. Not sure what the problem was, but doesn’t appear he will be coming off.
Norway 1-3 France
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
56 min: Mbappe lines one up and curls an effort just over the bar. Thought that was in but the effort has done some damage to Selvik as he is in need of some treatment.
Norway 1-3 France
21:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
55 min: CLOSE! Ostigard flings himself at Berg’s corner and makes first contact, but none of the Norway players gambled with a run to the back post. Easy tap-in there.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
21:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Appalling penalty from Strand Larsen, who has really had a dismal afternoon.
His stuttered run-up does nothing to unsettle Maignan, and his shot lacks both pace and direction.
What a waste.
Norway 1-3 France
21:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
50 min: PENALTY SAVED!
Jorgen Strand Larsen sees his penalty saved by Mike Maignan.
Norway 1-3 France
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
48 min: Norway have a penalty as Theo Hernandez trips Oscar Bobb.
Norway 1-3 France
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: A reminder of the permutations.
France will win Group I if they avoid defeat here while Norway must win to secure top spot.
Ultimately, both are guaranteed a top-two finish.
Norway 1-3 France
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
46 min: Norway have made a double change at the break as Thorsby and Pedersen replace Bjorkan and Thorstvedt.
KICK-OFF!
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in Boston.
Norway 1-3 France
21:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
No, you are not watching a replay of Ousmane Dembele’s first goal.
Ousmane Dembélé doubles France's lead with this spectacular hit 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ZeTeaO4whG
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2026
Fan reaction: Dembele appreciation
20:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Dembele on 🔥
— Debbie Chelsea (@debbie_Gabbie) June 26, 2026
Norway 1-3 France
20:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
What a way to complete your hat-trick!
Just like that, Ousmane Dembélé completes the hat-trick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wEfHyagtOm
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2026
Norway 1-3 France
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
France had already hit the bar before Ousmane Dembele did this!
France are off the mark after just 6 minutes 🇫🇷
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2026
Check out this strike from Ousmane Dembélé... pic.twitter.com/qmkgAinx3E
Fan thoughts: Why Dembele?
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Honestly we should ask Dembele what Norway 🇳🇴did to him 😂 cause man just scored a hatrick in 30 minutes
— Naija boi (@ikekeh12) June 26, 2026
Fan reaction: Dembele praise
20:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Dembele is world class ❤️👏
— your boyfriend 🏅🐐 (@badboy_gee) June 26, 2026
HALF-TIME
20:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Norway 1-3 France
It is the Ousmane Dembele show, a stunning hat-trick inside 32 minutes has put France well on course to top Group I.
Stale Solbakken's decision to make TEN changes has backfired spectacularly.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Would argue Norway have perhaps shown too much respect to France in this first half. Dembele got on the ball just now, and nobody moved to close him down.
A bit more impetus might be nice to see after the break.
Norway 1-3 France
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Into five minutes of stoppage time.
Norway 1-3 France
20:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
44 min: Selvik again to Norway’s rescue as he gets to the ball before Kone after a great driving run from the France midfielder into the box.
Norway 1-3 France
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
43 min: Selvik digs his team-mate Falchener out of trouble after a under-hit back pass. Races off his line to smother the ball at the feet of Doue.
Clean tackle, no penalty.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
With five minutes to half-time, you wonder what might be running through Stale Solbakken's mind.
It was a very practical call to rotate and save legs for the knockout rounds, but he is facing up to a deeply demoralising battering here. It may be time for him to give the people what they want and get Erling Haaland in the mix.
Norway 1-3 France
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
39 min: Mbappe goes down in the area but he will not be getting a penalty. Norway do have a free-kick, though, for a handball offence.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
31 minutes is all it takes. Dembele has his hat-trick, and it is three very similar goals. All whipped finishes after a cut in off the right flank. He's lined up more as a No10 to date at this World Cup - France seem to have struck a winning formula.
GOAL! Norway 1-3 France | Ousmane Dembele ‘32
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
32 min: HAT-TRICK!
Ousmane Dembele completes his treble inside 32 minutes. He teases his marker and then picks out the corner.
Norway 1-2 France
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
31 min: Little chance for Norway as the ball is played in behind the France defence for Strand Larsen but Upamecano shows great recovery pace.
Norway 1-2 France
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
29 min: Aasgaard is catching the eye here. Already on the scoresheet and he gets Norway moving with an attack which requires some desperate defending from France.
Norway 1-2 France
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Spirited boos for the hydration break - the loudest I've heard at this World Cup so far.
There's really no need for it today. It is humid here outside Boston, granted, but only 24C.
Norway 1-2 France
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
24 min: Time for the hydration break and supporters are not best pleased.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
What a response from Norway! That drop of the shoulder from Asgaard is one of the best you'll see - sent Upamecano for chips!
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Good news and bad news for France. Its another stunning goal and accompanying team move, but Manu Kone is down injured at the back.
He drags himself to his feet after a while and will continue, but that did not look overly positive for the Roma man.
GOAL! Norway 1-2 France | Thelo Aasgaard ‘21
20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
21 min: GOALLLLL
Game on! Norway with an instant response as Thelo Aasgaard halves the deficit.
GOAL! Norway 0-2 France | Ousmane Dembele ‘20
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
20 min: GOALLLLLLLLLL
Dembele at the double, credit to Michael Oliver for playing the advantage and the PSG does the rest. Superb finish.
Norway 0-1 France
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
17 min: Mbappe is set free down the left, he cuts inside and shoots near post but Selvik read his intentions and makes a smart save.
Norway 0-1 France
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
16 min: Hearing that Senegal have taken the lead against Iraq in the other game from his group. That pushes Scotland down in the third-placed rankings.
Norway 0-1 France
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
14 min: CHANCE! Norway should be level. Strand Larsen does superbly to bring the ball down in the box but he blasts his effort way over the bar.
Norway 0-1 France
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
12 min: Norway carved apart far too easily once again but Olise’s goalbound effort is blocked by Ostigard.
Norway 0-1 France
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
9 min: Berg goes into the book for a foul on Olise.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
That is a simply superb take from Dembele. This match is only six minutes old, but it's been coming.
A stellar pass from Mbappe finds in him acres of space and Norway fail abjectly to close him down.
That feels like it may be the first of many.
GOAL! Norway 0-1 France | Ousmane Dembele ‘7
20:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
7 min: FRANCE LEAD!
Les Bleus hit the front and the goal had been coming. Ousmane Dembele is afforded far too much space and he finds the opposite corner with a stunning finish.
Norway 0-0 France
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
4 min: 22 seconds were on the clock when Mbappe hit the post, in fairness it was a superb save from Selvik and he is called into action once more to keep out an effort from Kone.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
On balance of the first 22 seconds, this has the makings of a very long day for Norway. Dembele cuts out a loose pass and plays it forward for Mbappe first-time. The Frenchman rattles the bar.
Norway 0-0 France
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
1 min: CHANCE! Mbappe hits the post inside the opening 30 seconds!
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go!
As things stand
19:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
France need to avoid defeat in order to top Group I.
Only a win for Norway will be enough to win the group and push France down into second.
Not long now
19:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The national anthems have been observed, as have the pre-match pleasantries between both sets of players and officials.
Kick-off is next.
HERE WE GO!
19:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams are out at the Boston Stadium,
The national anthems are next.
Vieira praises Kone
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Patrick Vieira on Manu Kone: "He is today, for me, the best midfielder in [the] France squad."
High praise indeed.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
There's still 20 minutes left until kick-off here, and the Boston Stadium is absolutely bouncing.
We're sat opposite the Norway end, which has already taken to sculling, while the French contingent have cracked out an opera singer to build the atmosphere. Unorthodox, perhaps, but it's working.
Kick-off approaching in Boston
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Boston Stadium.
Around the grounds
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The other game in this group, Senegal vs Iraq, gets underway at the same time as this.
We will keep you posted from events at the Toronto Stadium as the result will have an impact on Scotland's qualification hopes.
Which teams are already out of the World Cup 2026?
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The World Cup is rapidly approaching the end of the group stage, with a number of teams already seeing their hopes of progress dashed.
An increase from 32 to 48 nations for this summer’s tournament in North America has led to the addition of 24 more games during the first phase, with the top two from each of the 12 four-team groups advancing through to the newly-created round of 32, along with the best eight third-place finishers.
A less well-known but still significant change for this World Cup has been FIFA deciding to use head-to-head records above goal difference as the principal tiebreaker during the group stage.
That means that a number of teams who would previously have gone into the last round of group fixtures still with a slim chance of reaching the knockout rounds now know that they mathematically have no shot.
Here is a list of all the nations that are already definitely out of the 2026 World Cup.
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is how both teams will line-up today.
Norway XI: Selvik; Aursnes, Ostigard, Falchener, Bjorkan; Aasgaard, Berg, Thorstvedt; Oscar Bobb, Strand Larsen, Schjelderup.
Substitutes: Nyland, Tangvik, Ajer, Heggem, Ryerson, Pedersen, Wolfe, Langas, Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes, Nusa, Hauge, Thorsby, Haaland, Sorloth.
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, T.Hernandez; Kone, Tchouameni; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
Substitutes: Risser, Samba, Digne, Gusto, L.Hernandez, Konate, Saliba, Kante, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Akliouche, Barcola, Cherki, Mateta, Thuram.
France dressing room
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Behind the scenes at the Boston Stadium as the France dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Le vestiaire n’attend plus que l’arrivée des Bleus 🙌#NORFRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LzKTHEtRy9
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 26, 2026
Fan reaction: No Haaland or Odegaard
19:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Odegaard and Haaland on the bench, what is this coach up to?
— EyeDaddy (@OsuohaTony) June 26, 2026
Pundit reaction: Norway team selection
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
"It sends a message that they're happy finishing second"
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2026
Patrick Vieira, @IanWright0 and Roy Keane react to Norway's starting XI against France...
🎙️ @markpougatch pic.twitter.com/E0zNgdV4U0
France changes
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, does start for France as he eyes more World Cup history.
There are four changes to the French team as Maxence Lacroix, Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni and Desire Doue are recalled.
William Saliba is rested.
Norway changes
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TEN changes for Norway tonight. The sole survivor from the side that beat Senegal 3-2 is Fredrik Aursnes.
That means Erling Haaland, with four goals already this tournament, is on the bench along with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
CONFIRMED NORWAY TEAM NEWS
19:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Lining up for Norway...
Laget mot 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/awWFIXSLOd
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) June 26, 2026
CONFIRMED FRANCE TEAM NEWS
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is the France team to face Norway...
Les XI Bleus qui débutera contre la Norvège pour jouer la première place du groupe 🇫🇷💪
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 26, 2026
🔜 Coup d’envoi 21h00 sur M6 et beIN SPORTS 1 📺#NORFRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MrXSsxvdQl
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It is a bit of a shame to see Mbappe start but Haaland benched.
Stale Solbakken has opted to rest his stars for a round of 32 tie which, on balance of those starting XIs, will probably see them face the Ivory Coast in Dallas next week.
But fans here in Boston have been robbed of what might have been a historic matchup between two of the game's finest strikers.
For Mbappe, a chance to close in on Messi's new record as all-time World Cup top goalscorer. He need only score a brace to go level with the great man.
France team in full
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, T.Hernandez; Kone, Tchouameni; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
Substitutes: Risser, Samba, Digne, Gusto, L.Hernandez, Konate, Saliba, Kante, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Akliouche, Barcola, Cherki, Mateta, Thuram
Norway team in full
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Norway XI: Selvik; Aursnes, Ostigard, Falchener, Bjorkan; Aasgaard, Berg, Thorstvedt; Oscar Bobb, Strand Larsen, Schjelderup.
Substitutes: Nyland, Tangvik, Ajer, Heggem, Ryerson, Pedersen, Wolfe, Langas, Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes, Nusa, Hauge, Thorsby, Haaland, Sorloth
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
18:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It is a profoundly humid afternoon here at the Boston Stadium, but that has not deterred any supporters.
They are already here in their droves, sporting a remarkably diverse collection of football shirts - Chelsea, Liverpool, Mexico, Sweden, and El Salvador among them.
There are almost two hours to go until kick-off, and there are already massive queues for, well, everything in the stadium.
And yet, I've just overheard a local tell her friend this stadium is "too big for soccer".
I'd beg to differ.
Norway vs France LIVE - team news imminent
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
Why is Didier Deschamps not on touchline for France vs Norway today
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Didier Deschamps is not present at the Boston Stadium because his mother tragically passed away earlier this week.
The French Football Federation confirmed in a statement that Deschamps would fly back to France to attend the funeral, hence his absence from the touchline this evening and previous training sessions in recent days.
It remains to be seen as to whether he will return before the knockout stages, with France already through, but the 2018 World Cup winners will be wanting to top Group I, and they must avoid defeat here to do so.
Guy Stephan, Deschamps’ assistant, will assume control this evening, looking to outfox former Wolves manager Stale Solbakken in the Norway technical area.
Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arthur Ferridge is already in position for us at the Boston Stadium and has previewed tonight’s showdown.
🗣️ "The main storyline in this match, of course, is Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, the two most prolific strikers in world football at the moment."@ArthurFerridge is at the Boston Stadium to preview the Group I showdown between Norway and France.#NORFRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XnYhM2Hsv7
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) June 26, 2026
Predicted France XI
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Manu Kone partnered Adrien Rabiot in midfield against Iraq, with Aurelien Tchouameni dropping to the bench, and Bradley Barcola was given the nod over Desire Doue on the left flank. Lucas Digne came on for Theo Hernandez at left-back.
Those decisions could be reversed against Norway, as the French look to win the group and earn themselves a more favourable round of 32 tie.
Predicted France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe.
Predicted Norway XI
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
For Norway, Stale Solbakken usually elects for a lop-sided 4-4-2 that can fluidly move into a 4-3-3 shape.
Martin Odegaard is given a free-roaming role off the right, where he can move inside into pockets of space and create as he pleases, similar to how he operates at Arsenal.
Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes complete the trio in the engine room, while Erling Haaland leads the line alongside Alexander Sorloth.
Predicted Norway XI (4-4-2): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Aursnes, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland.
Watch: France squad arrives
18:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is footage of the France squad boarding the coach for the trip to the Boston Stadium.
Nos Bleus prennent la route du Boston Stadium 🇫🇷🚎#NORFRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/N1mNg9O2VC
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 26, 2026
Clash of the titans
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland tonight.
Both have made blistering starts to the World Cup, scoring four goals apiece as the race for the Golden Boot heats up.
With 16 World Cup goals, Mbappe is second in the all-time list behind Lionel Messi (18) which means a hat-trick today would create history.
Round of 32 picture
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Whoever wins Group I will face a third-placed team from Group D/F/G in the round of 32 on Tuesday in New York. As things stand, that team is Sweden.
The scenario is much more clearer for the runners-up as a showdown against Ivory Coast has been confirmed.
Today's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), has staged four World Cup 2026 games so far, including Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq ten days ago.
With a capacity of 64,628, this stadium will host two knockout games.
Norway vs France latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Norway to win: 9/2
France to win: 4/11
Draw: 16/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This will be the first meeting between the two nations in 12 years, France won the last meeting 4-0 in a pre-World Cup 2014 friendly.
Norway wins: 5
France wins: 7
Draws: 4
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
