France and Norway battle it out for top spot in Group I in a mouthwatering
▶︎
Watch Norway vs France live and free on SBS
It’s all very easy for Australian fans with every game of the FIFA World Cup available for free on SBS On Demand. You will need an account and a valid Aussie postcode (e.g. 2026)View Deal
Norway vs France: World Cup 2026 Preview
Making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, Norway got off to the perfect start as they overcame a spirited Iraq in their opener 4-1. Haaland grabbed the headlines with two well-taken goals.
The Manchester City forward added another two – that’s 59 in 52 caps – against Senegal as Norway demonstrated their attacking prowess. However, it was not entirely plain sailing against The Lions of Teranga, with Ismaila Sarr scoring two and then heading over from close range in the final seconds of the game.
Stale Solbakken will need Kristoffer Ajer and Torbjorn Heggem to be on high alert against a devastating France front four, but may well choose attack as the best form of defence. Haaland has already shown that he is thriving under the weight of expectation.
France, meanwhile, have been electric. Mbappe – two goals shy of Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 18 – has bagged a brace in both games, while Michael Olise has resembled every inch the smooth creator that is interesting Real Madrid this summer.
Ousmane Dembele scored his first major tournament goal in the most recent 3-0 victory over Iraq and with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola also in the squad, Didier Deschamps has a surfeit of attacking riches up his sleeve.
He may give Rayan Cherki – yep, another luxuriously gifted playmaker – a runout here to keep his side on its toes.
Norway vs France: Group I
FourFourTwo’s prediction
Norway 2-3 France
FourFourTwo predicts Les Bleus coming out on top of a game where both attacks create plenty of opportunities.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.