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Why Norway Is Benching Erling Haaland, Other Starters Against France in Group I Finale
France and Norway can still win Group I as Les Bleus look to manage starters and play without manager Didier Deschamps.
- On Friday, June 26, France faces Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to conclude Group I play; both nations have secured round-of-32 spots, but this match determines the group winner.
- Star power defines the matchup with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland; Mbappé, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, has four goals, while Manchester City star Haaland has recorded a brace in each of his first two matches.
- France manager Didier Deschamps will miss the match to attend his mother's funeral, leaving assistant Guy Stéphan to manage the squad; Stéphan noted that defender William Saliba is unavailable due to injury.
- With advancement to the round of 32 already guaranteed, France may manage player fatigue; the team rotated starters including Bradley Barcola, Lucas Digne, and Manu Kone in previous matches.
- Norway returns to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998, hoping a group-stage victory provides momentum heading into the upcoming knockout rounds of the tournament.
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27 Articles
Rockdale Citizen & Newton CitizenReposted by 
Jackson Progress-Argus
Jackson Progress-ArgusReport: Norway star Erling Haaland out vs. France
Norway superstar Erling Haaland is among 10 players being rested by coach Stale Solbakken in Friday's World Cup clash with France, ESPN reported.
·Georgia, United States
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The Norwegian players left their hotel in Boston to head to the stadium, where they will face France in the final match of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
Favorite France plays against secret favourite Norway for group victory in Group I. Both teams come with two wins in their luggage to the final match.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 22%
C 57%
R 21%
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