Erling Haaland and Others Not Starting for Norway Against France at the World Cup
Norway made 10 changes with Erling Haaland rested, while France starts Kylian Mbappé in a match that decides the group winner.
- France and Norway face off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, today to decide the World Cup Group I winner, with both European sides already clinching knockout round berths.
- With both nations already qualified, Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken is resting key players, while France's head coach Didier Deschamps is absent following his mother's death on Tuesday.
- Norway is resting 10 regular starters, including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, while France will start Kylian Mbappe; high humidity of 81% and a 40% chance of precipitation could impact play.
- France needs only a draw to secure the group's top spot due to a superior goal difference, whereas Norway needs a victory to finish first.
- In the 2026 Golden Boot race, Kylian Mbappe looks to gain on Lionel Messi, while the group winner will face a third-place team from Group C, D, F, G, or H next.
66 Articles
66 Articles
Norway coach defends decision to leave out Haaland, Odegaard against France
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said his men are ‘team players’ that know what is best for the team. (EPA Images pic) FOXBOROUGH: Norway coach Stale Solbakken defended his decision to leave out star duo Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in Friday’s 4-1 World Cup defeat against France, saying it was a “no-brainer”. “It was a no-brainer, for me, for the physio and for the medical staff, and for some of the players themselves,” said Solbakken after h…
Norway sits Erling Haaland, and 9 others, against France to rest up for knockout stage at World Cup
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France against Norway was supposed to be about which of the world’s best strikers would come out on top; instead Erling Haaland spent 90 minutes on the bench, Kylian Mbappe had one shot and a player who until this week had never scored at a World Cup dominated proceedings. Senegal, meanwhile, put five past Iraq to finish third in Group I and give themselves a chance of making the last 32, while also pushing Scotland out of the eight places avail…
Dembele steals the Mbappe vs Haaland show as France breeze past Norway
Ousmane Dembele struck a first-half hat-trick as France beat Norway 4-1 in Group I. The win sent France into the Round of 32 with maximum points and sharpened scrutiny of Norway's decision to bench Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
Norway will meet Ivory Coast in the World Cup round of 16 after Ståle Solbakken let the "B-team" try out against gold favorite France.
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