World Cup: Norway Benches Erling Haaland, 9 Other Starters vs. France
Norway made 10 changes with Erling Haaland rested, while France starts Kylian Mbappé in a match that decides the group winner.
- France and Norway face off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, today to decide the World Cup Group I winner, with both European sides already clinching knockout round berths.
- With both nations already qualified, Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken is resting key players, while France's head coach Didier Deschamps is absent following his mother's death on Tuesday.
- Norway is resting 10 regular starters, including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, while France will start Kylian Mbappe; high humidity of 81% and a 40% chance of precipitation could impact play.
- France needs only a draw to secure the group's top spot due to a superior goal difference, whereas Norway needs a victory to finish first.
- In the 2026 Golden Boot race, Kylian Mbappe looks to gain on Lionel Messi, while the group winner will face a third-place team from Group C, D, F, G, or H next.
100 Articles
100 Articles
Discover the latest news and updates regarding the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in this live blog. From Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Neymar, and Vinicius Junior to Donald Trump.
In the last group game, France beats Norway sovereignly. However, Norway's top striker Erling Haaland was only sitting on the bench this time. Looking at the French, Valentina Maceri says: "You have the feeling that they are still playing with a handbrake.
Matt Vautour: World Cup fans didn’t get the much-hyped Mbappe-Haaland matchup, but got greatness anyway
FOXBOROUGH — The dream matchup didn’t happen. From the moment the World Cup draw came out, Friday was the signature game scheduled for Foxborough. Norway vs. France. Mbappe vs. Haaland. The world’s best striker bragging rights and maybe the Golden Boot, would be hanging in the balance.
Fans react to Haaland absence in France-Norway game
🇫🇷🇳🇴 Fans in Boston reacted with a mixture of surprise and disappointment to Erling #Haaland's absence from Friday's #France-#Norway game. The star striker was one of several players rested by the Norway coach ahead of the knockouts stage.
Norway vs France LIVE: FIFA World Cup Group I score, lineups, commentary & updates
Link URL: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cn0vrj5rn7kt Comments URL: https://tildes.net/~sports.football/1uvh/ousmane_demb%C3%A9l%C3%A9_scored_a_superb_hat_trick_as_france_defeated_a_rotated_norway_side_at_the Votes: 3 Comments: 1
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
