Norway vs France — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-869CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · BOSTON

Norway

1–4

France

Match events

P. Berg10'
T. Aasgaardassist A. Schjelderup21'1–2
F. BjorkanOn: M. Pedersen46'
K. ThorstvedtOn: M. Thorsby46'
J. Larsen50'
H. FalchenerOn: S. Langas66'
O. BobbOn: A. Nusa83'
A. SchjelderupOn: J. Hauge83'

0–17'O. Dembeleassist K. Mbappe
0–220'O. Dembeleassist K. Mbappe
1–332'O. Dembeleassist A. Tchouameni
65'M. OliseOn: R. Cherki
65'O. DembeleOn: B. Barcola
74'A. Tchouameni
76'D. UpamecanoOn: I. Konate
87'J. KoundeOn: M. Gusto
87'K. MbappeOn: J. Mateta
1–490+4'D. Doueassist B. Barcola

NORMatch statsFRA

43%Possession57%

10Shots18

4Shots on Target9

4Corners5

9Fouls11

1Yellow Cards1

Norway — starting XI

4-3-3

Bench

16Marcus Pedersen
2Morten Thorsby
24Sondre Langås
23Jens Petter Hauge
20Antonio Nusa
1Ørjan Nyland
12Sander Tangvik
3Kristoffer Ajer
5David Møller Wolfe
17Torbjørn Heggem
8Sander Berge
10Martin Ødegaard
26Julian Ryerson
7Alexander Sørloth
9Erling Haaland

France — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

24Rayan Cherki
12Bradley Barcola
15Ibrahima Konaté
2Malo Gusto
22Jean-Philippe Mateta
1Brice Samba
23Robin Risser
3Lucas Digne
17William Saliba
21Lucas Hernández
13N'Golo Kanté
14Adrien Rabiot
18Warren Zaïre-Emery
25Maghnes Akliouche
9Marcus Thuram

All-time meetings

Norway wins

Draws

France wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

26.8

Average Age

27.0

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

Norway

Jun 26

vs France

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Gillette Stadium

1–4

Jun 23

vs Senegal

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · MetLife Stadium

3–2

Jun 16

at Iraq

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Gillette Stadium

4–1

Jun 7

at Morocco

Friendlies · Friendly International · Sports Illustrated Stadium

1–1

Jun 1

vs Sweden

Friendlies · Friendly International · Ullevaal

3–1

France

Jun 26

at Norway

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Gillette Stadium

4–1

Jun 22

vs Iraq

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Lincoln Financial Field

3–0

Jun 16

vs Senegal

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · MetLife Stadium

3–1

Jun 8

vs Northern Ireland

Friendlies · Friendly International · Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy

3–1

Jun 4

vs Ivory Coast

Friendlies · Friendly International · Stade de la Beaujoire

1–2

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Left back vs Right winger · Speed meets recovery

Mbappé's acceleration and directness will stretch Bjørkan to the limit, but the Norwegian fullback's pace and positioning experience at European level gives him a fighting chance. This could be the match's defining duel—France's attacking catalyst versus Norway's last line of discipline.

// Centre back vs Centre forward · Strength in the trenches

Thuram's physical presence and technical ability will demand respect from Møller Wolfe, who must remain composed and positionally sharp. The Inter striker's aerial threat and hold-up play mean the Norwegian defender cannot afford lapses; one mistake becomes a goal.

// Central midfield · Tempo and territorial control

Berge's work-rate and passing range are formidable, but Tchouaméni's Real Madrid pedigree and ball-winning aggression give him the edge in a midfield knife-fight. Whoever controls this space dictates the game's rhythm; Tchouaméni's positioning and press resistance likely prevail.

06 · Style Clash

Norway vs France: Pressing Steel vs Cultured Dominance

Solbakken's compact, counter-pressing system meets Deschamps' blueprint for territorial supremacy. One team hunts in packs; the other weaves silk through the middle.

// Direct, counter-attacking pragmatism

Norway

// Possession-based European aristocracy

France

Direct

Build-up play

Intricate

Suffocating

Pressing intensity

Calculated

Crossing

Wing play