Norway vs France

Match Preview

Here's a preview of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Group I match between Norway and France:

Match Details

Norway is set to face France on June 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM UTC at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, USA. This match is part of the FIFA World Cup, Group I.

Recent Form

Norway:

Norway has shown very good form recently in International Friendlies, with 9 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses in their last 10 matches. They have scored a total of 39 goals and conceded only 6 in these matches. Their recent World Cup Qual. UEFA match saw them win 4-1 against Italy. Key players like Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Thelo Aasgaard, and David Möller Wolfe have contributed to their goal tally in recent qualifiers.

France:

France also boasts a very strong form, with 7 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last 10 World Cup matches, winning 70% of their games. Their home form in the World Cup is particularly impressive, with 4 wins, 0 draws, and 0 losses. In a recent World Cup Qual. UEFA match, France defeated Azerbaijan 3-1.

Head-to-Head (H2H) Stats

Historically, Norway and France have played 11 matches, with France winning 5, Norway winning 1, and 5 matches ending in a draw. Another source indicates 2 games played since 2010, with each team winning once and no draws. On average, their direct matches have seen 1.91 goals per game. France typically scores an average of 2.02 goals per match in the current season, while Norway averages 1.85 goals per match.

Key Players to Watch

Norway:

• Erling Haaland: The prolific forward is Norway's top scorer with 55 goals and is a crucial player for the team. He has a high FIFA Rating among Norwegian footballers.
• Martin Ødegaard: The captain is a key midfielder for Norway.
• Alexander Sørloth: Another vital forward who contributes significantly to goal scoring.
• Julian Ryerson and Leo Østigård are important defenders.

France:

• Kylian Mbappé: As the captain and a top forward, Mbappé is a central figure for France. He holds the highest FIFA Rating among French footballers.
• Olivier Giroud: France's top scorer with 57 goals.
• Antoine Griezmann: A key forward for the French squad.
• Mike Maignan (Goalkeeper), William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, and Theo Hernández (Defenders) are important components of the French team.
• Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and N'Golo Kanté are notable midfielders.

Predictions

France enters the match as the established powerhouse and is considered the heavy favorite, with early predictions suggesting over a 95% chance of advancing from the group. Analysts state that France holds a nearly 70% superiority in overall defensive strength. Norway, while considered outsiders, has shown strong momentum and discipline in qualifiers. While one source predicts a 3-1 win for France in a women's match, general sentiment for the men's senior team also favors France to secure a victory. The clash is anticipated to be a significant test for Norway's rising generation.