Norway vs France World Cup 2026 Tips - 26 June
Norway vs France Group I decider at World Cup 2026. Kickoff 21:00 SAST at Gillette Stadium. Our picks, form guide, H2H and team news.
- Norway vs France kicks off at 21:00 SAST on Friday 26 June at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston, with the Group I top spot the only thing left to settle.
- Both sides are on six points and in electric form, with Haaland and Mbappe each scoring four World Cup goals in two games, making this the tournament's standout individual duel.
- France hold the goal-difference advantage and need only a draw to top Group I, which shapes our picks toward a French performance rather than a Norwegian upset.
Two teams, six points each, and a group title on the line. Norway and France have both already booked their Round of 32 spots, but Friday night in Boston is far from a dead rubber. France need only a draw to top Group I on goal difference, while Norway must win outright to claim first place. With Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the form of their lives and both arriving on four World Cup goals apiece, this is the match of the group stage.
The Pick Card
Prices from Hollywoodbets, Betway and Easybet. 18+. T&Cs apply.
| Selection | Bookmaker | Odds | Stake | Operator CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France Win or Draw (Double Chance) | Hollywoodbets | @1.45 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Both Teams to Score | Betway | @1.75 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Easybet | @1.80 | 2 Units | Bet here |
The Form Line
France arrive in Foxborough with a perfect record in Group I, having beaten Senegal 3-1 and then Iraq 3-0. Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in each match to take his World Cup 2026 total to four goals, while Ousmane Dembele also got on the scoresheet against Iraq. Didier Deschamps has managed his squad rotation carefully, and with qualification secure, he is expected to field close to a full-strength side with the group title the incentive.
Norway are playing their first World Cup since 1998 and have not looked out of place at all. Haaland scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 win on matchday one, then repeated the feat in a 3-2 win over Senegal to bring his tally to four goals in two games. Stale Solbakken's side have been physical, direct and dangerous on the counter, but their goal difference of plus four sits one behind France's plus five, meaning only a victory will do if they want to top the section. Right-back Julian Ryerson came off injured against Senegal and is expected to be replaced by Marcus Pedersen.
Head to Head
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | International Friendly | France 4-0 Norway |
| 2010 | International Friendly | Norway 2-1 France |
| 1998 | International Friendly | France 3-3 Norway |
| 1989 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Norway 1-1 France |
| 1988 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | France 1-0 Norway |
Across all competitions, France lead the head-to-head record with seven wins to Norway's five, with four draws from 16 meetings. This is the first time the two nations have met at a World Cup. The most recent competitive meetings came in 1988 and 1989 World Cup qualifying, where France won the home leg before Norway held them to a 1-1 draw away. The last meeting was a convincing 4-0 friendly win for France in 2014. History points to France, but Norway have won five of these 16 encounters, so this is no walkover.
Team News
France have a minor concern over Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed training ahead of the Iraq match with a fitness issue though he was not ruled out for the Norway game. William Saliba has also been managing a knock but started against Senegal and is expected to continue. Mbappe has been named in projected lineups but some sources suggest a slight hamstring concern, though Deschamps played him the full 90 against Iraq and he looked sharp. No fresh concerns are confirmed for Kounde or the rest of the defensive line going into Friday.
Norway are without winger Antonio Nusa through injury, and right-back Julian Ryerson is expected to miss the match after going off against Senegal. Marcus Pedersen should step in at right-back. Martin Odegaard has been flagged as a doubt with a knee concern by some sources, though pre-match reports suggest he is expected to start. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has also been mentioned as a doubt, with David Raya and Joakim Strand the alternatives. The core of Haaland, Odegaard (if fit) and Alexander Sorloth up front remains intact.
Verdict
We see France managing this match in their controlled, counter-punching way. They do not need to win, and Deschamps will not throw caution to the wind, but their quality across the pitch makes them difficult to beat even when they are not at full tilt. Norway's Haaland is in the form of his life and will always pose a threat, which is exactly why both teams to score and over 2.5 goals look like solid angles. A France result, a goal-laden contest and a night to remember in Boston is what we are calling.
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