France and Norway meet in what has been billed as the big fixture in Group I at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when the teams face off in Boston on Friday. Both sides have already secured qualification for the round of 32 after winning their opening two matches and will vie to finish top of the group.
The match will be shown on ITV in the United Kingdom, Fox Sports in the United States, Zee5 in India and SBS in Australia, with ESPN providing live updates, according to the available coverage schedule. Kick-off is listed as 3 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26, which corresponds to 8 p.m. BST, 12:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, June 27, and 5 a.m. AEST on Saturday, June 27. The game will be played at Boston Stadium and will be refereed by Michael Oliver.
Predicted line-ups see Norway named with Ørjan Nyland in goal and a back four of David Wolfe, Torbjørn Heggem, Kristoffer Ajer and Julian Ryerson. Midfield is expected to include Fredrik Aursnes, Sander Berge and Martin Ødegaard, with Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth leading the attack. France are projected to start Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Theo Hernández across the defence; Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué behind Kylian Mbappé.
The headline clash is Kylian Mbappé versus Erling Haaland. Both forwards have scored four goals in their two World Cup games so far, leaving them behind Lionel Messi, who has netted five. Haaland told Fox Sports that he was unconcerned about the France match because his side had already qualified and added that France were likely to prevail and could go on to win the tournament.
France are regarded as favourites and are described as a tougher opponent with a solid defence. France manager Didier Deschamps will miss the match after the French Football Federation said he learned on Tuesday morning of his mother’s death and is returning to France to attend her funeral.
