The French team faces Norway This Friday evening at 21 p.m. in Foxborough, for their third group match of the 2026 World Cup. The two teams are neck and neck in Group I and are vying for first place. This match comes after two important opening games for Norway, notably marked by the effectiveness of Erling Haaland.
Haaland is not expected to start
The Manchester City striker, who scored four goals in the first two matches of the tournament, is expected to start on the bench. Norway is planning a major overhaul of its lineup against France. Haaland is expected to be replaced in attack by Jørgen Strand Larsen.
10 starters rested
Norway is expected to make almost a complete overhaul of its starting eleven. Ten players who started against Senegal, a match they won 3-2 on Monday night, are likely to be left on the bench. Among those affected are several key players: goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, Martin Ødegaard, and Alexander Sørloth. Nyland is expected to be replaced in goal by Egil Selvik.
Ødegaard and Sørloth are also involved
Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard is not expected to start. Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth is also expected to be on the bench. Norway would therefore be opting for a heavily rotated starting eleven, despite the importance of securing first place in the group.
Aursnes, the only expected survivor
Fredrik Aursnes is expected to be the only player to make his third consecutive start in this World Cup. He is slated to play at right-back, after having played in midfield in Norway's first two matches.
France face a heavily revamped Norway
France will therefore face a Norwegian team very different from the one fielded in the first two matches. The main change concerns the expected absence of Erling Haaland from the starting lineup. The Norwegian star will remain available on the bench, but is not expected to start this crucial Group I match.
