Norway and France collide in a battle for top spot in Group I as the World Cup knockout rounds near – but Erling Haaland has been rested for the clash with Kylian Mbappe’s team.
With Haaland and Mbappe leading the charge, these two nations have played some of the best attacking football at the tournament in two wins to open the campaign to set up this showdown in Boston. The star forwards have four goals apiece – and may be eyeing the golden boot – but will perhaps face a sterner test as each team looks to avoid a more arduous route through the World Cup hereafter. Norway clearly have one eye on the last-32, with Haaland dropping out of the starting line-up and naming 10 changes.
While the top two are assured of progress, Senegal and Iraq face a crucial clash of their own as they look to secure their own spot in the last 32. A win is a must for either to have a hope, with Senegal much the better placed on account of their superior goal difference. Can they deal Scotland a blow with a victory to take them through?
Follow all of the latest as Group I reaches a conclusion with our live blog below:
Why Didier Deschamps won’t be on the touchline
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni says France are on a mission to make absent coach Didier Deschamps proud by securing top spot in World Cup Group I.
Deschamps will miss Friday’s clash with Norway in Foxborough after returning home following the death of his mother.
Les Bleus and Norway are level on six points and have already secured progression to the knockout stages thanks to respective victories over Senegal and Iraq.
“On behalf of the entire French team, the French family, we send our condolences to the coach and his entourage,” Real Madrid player Tchouameni told a press conference, according to L’Equipe
.“It’s a complicated time for everyone. We tried to make things normal but we have a mission and we want to make him proud.”
Senegal and Iraq teams also confirmed
Senegal XI: Diaw; Diatta, Seck, Niakhate, Jakobs; Gueye, Diarra; Mbaye, Camara, Mane; Sarr
Iraq XI: Basil; Putros, Hashim, Sulaka, Doski; Al Ammari; Jasim, Bayesh, Iqbal, Qasem; Al Hamadi
Haaland rested amid numerous changes for Norway vs France
Norway XI: Selvik; Aursnes, Falchener, Ostigard, Bjorkan; Thorstvedt, Berg, Aasgaard; Bobb, Strand Larsen, Schjelderup
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
So, 10 Norway changes, with the absences of Haaland and Odegaard being the most notable!
Team news on the way….
Right, we should have team news for you in the next little while. France have rotated in places in their first two games, giving chances to Manu Kone, Bradley Barcola and Lucas Digne last time out. Will Aurelien Tchouameni, Desire Doue and Theo Hernandez be back in? William Saliba looks set to miss out through injury while Wiliam Saliba is dealing with calf pain.
What would be next for France or Norway?
The Ivory Coast are another interested party tonight, with a guaranteed fixture against either France or Norway for them in the last 32. The Group I runners-up will play in Arlington, Texas on 30 June.
The winners also face a fixture on that date – though would be bound for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against a third-placed finisher from Group D, F or G.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge as England stall in round two
The crop of contenders for overall victory is clarifying, too. Here’s how we ranked them ahead of the third round of fixtures:
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Cristiano Ronaldo joins Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in race
It’s becoming quite the chase for the World Cup golden boot, with just about all the main protagonists now at the tournament party. It is team success they are all hunting, of course.
How France finally found the perfect supporting cast for Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe is being well supported by a collection of attacking talents that have both sparkling skill and selflessness that helps get the best out of one another.
Kylian Mbappe makes a statement as France overcome two-hour storm delay to beat Iraq at World Cup
France also have their own star striker powering their charge at this World Cup. It was a season to forget for Kylian Mbappe in the colours of Real Madrid but he’s always delivered for France – even when a storm interrupts them. Chris Wilson watched them beat Iraq.
