Star Scorers Clash
France and Norway Battle for Group I Dominance as Mbappe, Haaland Shine and Deschamps Absent
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France and Norway square off today in a Group I decider that doubles as a historic goal-scoring showdown. Both teams sit on 6 points, but France holds a +5 goal difference over Norway's +4 — meaning a draw sends France to the top of the group, according to FIFA. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
The stakes go beyond standings. France captain Kylian Mbappé has 16 career World Cup goals, tying Germany's Miroslav Klose for second on the all-time list. One more goal today would give Mbappé sole possession of second place, putting him two behind Lionel Messi's record of 18, per Global Times. Norway's Erling Haaland, meanwhile, arrives with 3 goals in 2 matches — and a chip on his shoulder after 28 years of Norwegian absence from the World Cup.
Deschamps Steps Away After Family Tragedy
France enters the match without their manager on the sideline. Didier Deschamps left the team's base in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 23 after his mother, Ginette, passed away. The French Football Federation said: "In this extremely painful moment, we wish the manager and his family a lot of courage," according to Goal.com.
Assistant coach Guy Stéphan has taken over full training duties. FFF President Philippe Diallo confirmed Stéphan will lead the team against Norway, per Sports Illustrated. Stéphan has worked alongside Deschamps since 2009. Analysts at ESPN FC noted that "the players weren't prepared for this separation" — and that managing the locker room emotionally may be as big a challenge as stopping Haaland.
Mbappé Chases History, Haaland Powers Norway's Viking Dawn
Mbappé has scored 4 goals in this tournament alone — twice against Senegal on June 16 and twice more against Iraq on June 22, per Saudi Gazette. His 16 career World Cup goals span three tournaments: 4 in 2018, 8 in 2022, and 4 so far in 2026. A goal today puts him alone in second place all time.
Norway's threat is just as real. Haaland scored a brace in Norway's 4-1 opening win over Iraq and added another in their 3-2 thriller against Senegal on June 22, per BBC Sport. Captain Martin Ødegaard feeds Haaland with what analysts call "outstanding chemistry." FOX Sports' Alexi Lalas called the matchup "Viking power vs. technical brilliance" — and said Norway's physicality could force a major upset.
Norway's Historic Return After 28-Year World Cup Absence
Norway last played at a World Cup in 1998. For 28 years, the team failed to qualify — until the Haaland-Ødegaard era finally delivered, per WagerTalk TV. Their appearance in the expanded 48-team 2026 tournament is being called the "Viking Dawn" by Norwegian media. Over 10,000 Norwegian fans traveled to Boston, turning the area around the stadium into a celebration zone, according to Brief Football News.
Norwegian press is framing today as a no-lose situation. Norway already clinched a Round of 32 spot. For them, this is a free shot at one of the world's elite programs. French media, by contrast, is framing a group win as a tribute to Deschamps and a test of the squad's emotional maturity, per France 24.
What Comes Next for the Group I Winner
The winner of Group I gets a favorable bracket path. They face a third-place finisher from Group C, D, or E in the Round of 32 — likely avoiding Spain or Argentina until the quarterfinals, per tournament projections on Wikipedia. Betting markets still favor France, though "smart money" is trending toward a high-scoring draw, with over 2.5 goals the popular wager given both teams' defensive lapses, according to WagerTalk TV.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Group H has its own drama. Cape Verde — making their World Cup debut — drew 2-2 with Uruguay, showing that the expanded 48-team format is opening the door for smaller nations, per ESPN FC. Tickets for today's France-Norway match start at $236, according to Cosm.
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