{"id":16227,"date":"2026-06-26T21:50:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16227"},"modified":"2026-06-26T21:50:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:20:33","slug":"norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Norway vs France | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Group I | Boston Stadium | Jun 27, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Match_Overview\" title=\"Match Overview\">Match Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Norway_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\" title=\"Norway \u2014 Team Analysis\">Norway \u2014 Team Analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#France_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\" title=\"France \u2014 Team Analysis\">France \u2014 Team Analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Head-to-Head\" title=\"Head-to-Head\">Head-to-Head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Tactical_Preview\" title=\"Tactical Preview\">Tactical Preview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Key_Storylines\" title=\"Key Storylines\">Key Storylines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Our_Prediction\" title=\"Our Prediction\">Our Prediction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Match_Overview\"><\/span><strong>Match Overview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both teams are already through \u2014 Group I\u2019s final matchday is a top-spot decider. France leads on goal difference, meaning a draw sends them through first. The bracket implications are real: first place earns a potentially easier Round of 32 opponent. Senegal and Iraq have been eliminated. One match to sort it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u25ba Catch every match live on ZEE 5 \u2014 India\u2019s official home of the <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><strong><em>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong>. Download the ZEE 5 app.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Norway_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/norway\/norway-squad\"><strong>Norway<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2014 Team Analysis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norway are at their first World Cup since France 1998 \u2014 28 years ended by a qualifying campaign that was essentially Haaland\u2019s doing. He scored 16 goals in European qualifying, twice the next-best total on the continent. At the tournament itself, he\u2019s picked up where he left off: braces in both group games, four goals in two appearances, and the most feared striker at this tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Norway are more than Haaland. Martin \u00d8degaard \u2014 Arsenal captain, one of the best midfielders in Europe \u2014 orchestrates from deep and plays the passes no one else sees. Alexander S\u00f8rloth (Atletico Madrid) provides a physical alternative up front. St\u00e5le Solbakken has shaped a side that creates chances for the team, not just the superstar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Player: <\/strong>Erling Haaland \u2014 Four goals in two games, the most feared striker in this tournament. France will have spent more time preparing to stop him than on anyone else in this group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"France_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/france\/france-squad\"><strong>France<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2014 Team Analysis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France has looked every bit as dangerous as their squad suggests. Mbapp\u00e9 scored twice against Senegal and twice against Iraq \u2014 four goals in two games, 16 in his World Cup career, level with Miroslav Klose for second on the all-time list behind Messi\u2019s 18. Bradley Barcola added a third against Senegal, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 against Iraq. This attack hasn\u2019t missed a step without Griezmann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a shadow over the matchday. Didier Deschamps \u2014 14 years in charge, stepping down after this tournament \u2014 won\u2019t be on the touchline. His mother passed away this week, and he\u2019s attending her funeral back in France. Assistant Guy St\u00e9phan takes temporary charge. Les Bleus play Thursday without the man who has defined them for a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Player: <\/strong>Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 \u2014 Four goals in two games put him level with Miroslav Klose on the all-time World Cup scoring list. It\u2019s a tight race against Messi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Head-to-Head\"><\/span><strong>Head-to-Head<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sixteen meetings since 1923, France holding the edge at seven wins to Norway\u2019s five, with four draws. The most recent was a 4-0 France victory in a 2014 friendly. Thursday night at the Boston Stadium is the first World Cup meeting between these two nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactical_Preview\"><\/span><strong>Tactical Preview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norway\u2019s plan is clear: get the ball to Haaland, quickly and in space. \u00d8degaard plays the line-splitting passes that create that space; S\u00f8rloth pulls defenders with his physicality. Solbakken won\u2019t set up to absorb \u2014 seven goals in two games tells you this team attacks. They\u2019ll press France high and look to break their build-up before it builds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guy St\u00e9phan takes charge of France in the most unusual of circumstances. The game plan won\u2019t change \u2014 France drops into shape without the ball and releases Mbapp\u00e9 into the channels on the counter. Against Norway\u2019s high press, those runs in behind the line will be the most dangerous threat of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Storylines\"><\/span><strong>Key Storylines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It doesn\u2019t get bigger than this in club football either \u2014 two players who\u2019ve spent the last several seasons trading records at the top of European football, now meeting at a World Cup for the first time. Both scored four goals. Both in the Golden Boot race. This subplot is the reason neutral fans around the world are setting their alarms for half past midnight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>France\u2019s manager won\u2019t be there. Didier Deschamps \u2014 14 years in charge, a World Cup winner as both player and coach, stepping down at the end of this tournament \u2014 is in France to attend his mother\u2019s funeral. Guy St\u00e9phan leads Les Bleus instead. It changes nothing tactically, but there\u2019s an emotional charge to this match that goes beyond goal difference and bracket positioning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_Prediction\"><\/span><strong>Our Prediction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France has been the cleaner side \u2014 six goals, one conceded, a squad depth that includes Olise, Thuram, Cherki, and Dou\u00e9 off the bench. Without Deschamps on the touchline, there may be an initial awkwardness to their setup, and Norway\u2019s directness will cause problems early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Mbapp\u00e9 changes games on his own. The quality difference is real. France to edge a match that won\u2019t be as comfortable as the score will eventually suggest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>\u25ba Don\u2019t miss a moment of the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 action. Stream live and on-demand on <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><strong><em>ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong>\u00a0 \u2014 wherever you are in India. Download the ZEE 5 app today.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Group I | Boston Stadium | Jun 27, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST Match Overview Both teams are already through \u2014 Group I\u2019s final matchday is a top-spot decider. France leads on goal difference, meaning a draw sends them through first. The bracket implications are real: first place earns a potentially easier Round of 32 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":16228,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3333],"class_list":["post-16227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-norway-vs-france-match-preview"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400-28-4.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Norway vs France | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview - ZEE5 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"France vs Norway preview FIFA 2026\u2122\u2014Mbapp\u00e9 vs Haaland, tactics, team news, and prediction in Group I decider.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/norway-france-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Norway vs France | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview - 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