France and Norway meet in a decisive Group I clash for World Cup 2026 qualification on Friday evening, with star striker Erling Haaland named on the bench for the hosts. Les Bleus top the group by a single goal, both sides having won their opening two matches.
Team News and Lineups
Didier Deschamps made three changes from the 3-0 win over Iraq, which followed a 3-1 victory against Senegal. Manu Kone partnered Adrien Rabiot in midfield, with Aurelien Tchouameni dropping to the bench, and Bradley Barcola started over Desire Doue on the left flank. Lucas Digne came in for Theo Hernandez at left-back.
For this match, Tchouameni, Doue, and Hernandez all return to the starting XI. Mike Maignan continues in goal, but William Saliba is rested, with Chelsea target Maxence Lacroix partnering Dayot Upamecano in central defence.
Norway's Changes
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has made wholesale changes. Captain Martin Odegaard and Haaland are both on the bench. Oscar Bobb leads the attack alongside Andreas Schjelderup and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Norway XI: Selvik; Aursnes, Ostigard, Falchener, Bjorkan; Aasgaard, Berg, Thorstvedt; Bobb, Strand Larsen, Schjelderup.
Substitutes: Nyland, Tangvik, Ajer, Heggem, Ryerson, Pedersen, Wolfe, Langas, Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes, Nusa, Hauge, Thorsby, Haaland, Sorloth.
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, T.Hernandez; Kone, Tchouameni; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
Substitutes: Risser, Samba, Digne, Gusto, L.Hernandez, Konate, Saliba, Kante, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Akliouche, Barcola, Cherki, Mateta, Thuram.
Match Details
The match kicks off at 8pm on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Boston Stadium. It will be broadcast live on ITV.
