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Norway and France will be battling for top spot in Group I when they face off in Foxborough on Friday night.
Both teams are already through to the knockouts, and now all that is left to be decided is who finishes first and second in the group.
France are currently top on goal difference, so anything other than defeat would see them through in first place.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best fifa world cup betting offers.
Norway vs. France key stats
- Norway have never beaten a European team at the World Cup (D2, L3).
- France have lost just once in 13 internationals in all competitions (W11, D1).
- France have won just one of the previous five H2Hs (D3, L1), although that was the last one in 2014.
Norway vs. France preview: Both sides to settle for stalemate?
| Norway | vs | France |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | FIFA Ranking | 3 |
| Alexander Sorloth (74) | Most Caps | Kylian Mbappe (100) |
| Erling Haaland (59) | Most Goals | Kylian Mbappe (60) |
| 833 | Total Caps | 832 |
| 127 | Total Goals | 106 |
| 1 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
After qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998, Norway have done what they set out to do and qualified for the knockouts in what was a tough-looking group on paper with France, Senegal and Iraq.
They have also recorded two wins at a World Cup finals for the first time, and another would see them top the group ahead of favourites France.
The Norwegians are as free-scoring as they were in qualifying with seven goals in their opening two games, and four of them from Erling Haaland.
He is just one goal behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, and will hope to add to his tally in what is set to be a strong XI that Stale Solbakken should name, although there are concerns over Julian Ryerson having went off injured in Norway's 3-2 victory over Senegal last time out.
France have no fresh squad concerns themselves, although Didier Deschamps will not be in the dugout after the passing of his mother.
It is not clear when he will return, but assistant Guy Stephan will take charge against Norway.
While Haaland is in the Golden Boot race, so is Kylian Mbappe, who also boasts four goals after the opening two matches.
Having overtaken Olivier Giroud as France's all-time top goalscorer, he will be aiming to extend his tally, as Les Bleus will hope to win all three group games for the first time since 1998, when they won their first World Cup on home soil.
Norway vs. France form guide & betting tips
| Norway | vs | France |
|---|---|---|
DWDWW |
Form | WLWWW |
| 11 | Goals For | 13 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 5 |
WW |
World Cup 2026 | WW |
Whispers predicts: Norway 2-2 France
France are 4/6 (1.67) favourites to win, but given Norway's quality and need to beat Les Bleus, we are willing to back against the bookies.
Double chance – Norway/Draw at 5/4 (2.25) therefore appeals as an opening bet.
With Haaland and Mbappe chasing the Golden Boot and sharing eight goals across their first two group games, we are willing to take a punt on both of them scoring.
Haaland to score anytime at 13/8 (2.63) and Mbappe to score anytime at 11/10 (2.10) are our final two picks.
Overall, we are predicting a 2-2 draw, which is available at 16/1 (17.00).
> Mbappe to score anytime at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Double chance – Norway/Draw at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Haaland to score anytime at 13/8 (2.63) | Likelihood: Possible