Norway and France meet on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in the decisive Group I finale, with both nations already through to the Round of 32 and everything left to play for at the top of the table.
France arrive as genuine favourites to lift the trophy in July, with Kylian Mbappe captaining a squad stacked with Ballon d’Or winners, Champions League stars, and a manager in Didier Deschamps who has already announced this will be his final tournament in charge.
Key Details
- Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. BST / 9:00 p.m. CET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA
- Where to Watch: FOX (USA) | Telemundo (USA Spanish) | ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Bell Media (Canada)
Where to Watch Norway vs. France Football World Cup Match?
Norway vs France is broadcast in the USA on FOX with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. In the UK, the match airs free on ITVX. Fans in Australia can stream it without a subscription on SBS On Demand.
Canadian viewers can access the match through Bell Media platforms. All USA coverage is also available on demand via the FOX One streaming app, priced at $19.99 per month after a three-day free trial.
How to Watch Norway vs. France with a VPN
If the Norway vs France match is not available in your region, a VPN unlocks free access through ITVX, the UK’s free streaming platform carrying all 104 World Cup matches.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, which means viewers outside the UK cannot access it without a British IP address. PureVPN solves this instantly by connecting you to a UK server.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to receive a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Norway vs France and start streaming live.
Please note that using a VPN to access geo-restricted content may conflict with the terms of service of the streaming platform. Always check local laws and platform guidelines before using a VPN for streaming.
Norway vs. France Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Norway Team News
Norway head into this match under manager Ståle Solbakken, who has been in charge since 2020 and was actually a member of Norway’s 1998 World Cup squad as a midfielder. Solbakken guided the team through a perfect eight-win UEFA qualifying campaign, topping their group ahead of Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova. He is widely expected to step down after this tournament.
Norway’s pre-tournament preparation included a 3-1 win over Sweden on June 1 and a 1-1 draw with Morocco on June 7, 2026, with captain Martin Odegaard scoring against Morocco. Earlier friendlies in March produced a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands and a 0-0 draw with Switzerland.
At this World Cup, Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their opener on June 16, with Erling Haaland netting a brace and Leo Ostigard adding a header. Haaland then scored twice in a 3-2 victory over Senegal on June 22, seeing Norway safely through to the knockout stages.
The tactical setup under Solbakken is a 4-3-3 structure that in practice operates as a 4-2-3-1, with Odegaard functioning as a free number ten between the lines. Sander Berge and Patrick Berg provide the defensive midfield platform. Haaland is the focal point, with Antonio Nusa supplying pace and directness on the right wing.
Erling Haaland arrived at this World Cup with 55 goals in 49 international appearances, a ratio unmatched by any active player in the game. Haaland now has four goals in two World Cup matches and leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race. His partnership with Odegaard, who reads the game at the highest level, gives Norway a forward structure few teams in the world can match.
France Team News
France are managed by Didier Deschamps, who has held the position since 2012 and has confirmed he will not extend his contract beyond this tournament. Deschamps won the World Cup as France captain in 1998 and as head coach in 2018, making this farewell campaign one of the most emotionally charged in French football history.
Before the tournament, France lost 1-2 to Ivory Coast on June 4 in Nantes before responding with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland on June 8 in Lille, where Michael Olise scored a hat-trick. In March, they had beaten Brazil 2-1 at Gillette Stadium, the same venue where they face Norway on June 26.
At this World Cup, France defeated Senegal 3-1 on June 16 and beat Iraq 3-0 on June 22, with Mbappe heavily involved in both victories. Mbappe has scored four goals in two games at the tournament and has been working towards overtaking Olivier Giroud’s French all-time record of 57 goals.
France operate in a 4-3-3 under Deschamps, prioritising defensive solidity and midfield control before releasing their exceptional forwards. The system did not concede in four of their six qualifying matches. Aurelien Tchouameni anchors the midfield base, with N’Golo Kante providing pressing and ball recovery behind a front three of Ousmane Dembele, Mbappe and either Bradley Barcola or Michael Olise.
Dembele arrived at this tournament as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and has been in scintillating form for Paris Saint-Germain. Olise scored a hat-trick against Northern Ireland before departure. The depth of attacking options available to Deschamps means rotation is entirely possible in this final group game.
Norway World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Orjan Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik
- Defenders: Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Ostigard, David Moller Wolfe, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Bjorkan, Sondre Langas, Henrik Falchener
- Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Fredrik Aursnes, Kristian Thorstvedt, Morten Thorsby, Thelo Aasgaard
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup, Jens Petter Hauge
France World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
- Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Maxence Lacroix
- Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, Warren Zaire-Emery
- Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Hugo Ekitike, Maghnes Akliouche
Norway vs. France Football World Cup in 2026 Match Preview
Norway and France meet at Gillette Stadium on June 26 with six points apiece, and the winner secures top spot in Group I along with the more favourable side of the knockout bracket. France lead on goal difference, meaning Norway need at least a draw to stand a chance of finishing first.
Norway have been outstanding in their opening two fixtures, with Haaland scoring four goals and the team looking compact and direct in the style Solbakken has drilled into them over six years. France, meanwhile, dismantled Senegal and Iraq without conceding, and arrive as one of the clearest favourites in the tournament.
The historical stakes add another dimension. Norway famously beat France 2-1 in Marseille in 1998, one of the most celebrated results in Norwegian football history. Repeating that result in 2026 would send the tournament into a frenzy.
Tactical Outlook
Norway are expected to set up in their familiar 4-3-3 with Odegaard operating as the free ten behind Haaland. Solbakken will likely look to press France high in the first 20 minutes to disrupt Deschamps’ preferred tempo-based build-up play. The key question is whether Odegaard can find space between Tchouameni and the France backline.
France will defend in a mid-block and look to exploit transitions. Mbappe’s movement to the left channel against Norway’s right back is the most dangerous individual matchup on the pitch. Theo Hernandez on the left flank will provide an overlapping threat that creates space for Dembele inside.
The central defensive duel between Haaland and the France pairing of Upamecano and Saliba is the defining contest of the match. Both defenders rank among the best in European football, but Haaland’s combination of aerial power, hold-up play and clinical finishing inside the box has already beaten defenders of that quality throughout his career.
Norway need to be bold. A defensive approach surrenders Group I without a fight and hands them a harder knockout opponent. Solbakken will almost certainly send his side out to attack and make this a genuine contest for top spot.
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norway vs France kicks off on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, near Boston. Kick-off in the UK is at 8:00 p.m. BST.
Both Norway and France are in Group I, alongside Senegal and Iraq. All four teams played their group matches across the eastern United States and Toronto, Canada.
Norway won their opening two Group I fixtures, beating Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2. Erling Haaland scored four goals across those two matches, and both sides have already qualified for the Round of 32 ahead of this final group game.
Kylian Mbappe, the Real Madrid forward and France captain, has scored four goals in two World Cup 2026 matches and leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race. He is targeting the all-time France international scoring record during this tournament.
France and Norway have met 16 times in their history, with France holding the overall advantage. Their most significant meeting at a World Cup came in 1998, when Norway defeated the host nation France 2-1 in Marseille. The last meeting was a 4-0 France friendly win in 2014.
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