Erling Haaland has been named among the substitutes as Norway rotate their squad for Friday’s World Cup Group I finale against France at Boston Stadium. The Manchester City striker, who has scored twice in the tournament, makes way for Jørgen Strand Larsen in attack as coach Ståle Solbakken rests key personnel including Julian Ryerson and Antonio Nusa.
Kylian Mbappé starts for France, however, as Les Bleus aim to secure top spot with only a draw required to win the group. The fixture pits together the highest combined market value of any match in this phase of the tournament.
Guy Stéphan, standing in for Didier Deschamps, has selected a side featuring Bayern Munich duo Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, while Maxence Lacroix starts in central defence. The attacking quartet has been retained, including Mbappé, who seeks to add to his two goals and challenge the all-time World Cup scoring record.
Both nations have already secured their place in the Round of 32, but the group result carries significant logistical implications. Winning Group I would keep France’s knockout path on America’s eastern seaboard, with potential ties in the Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarter-final staged close to their Boston base. Finishing second would force a long cross-country trip to Dallas for the first knockout tie.
Stéphan, who is managing the team while Deschamps attends his mother’s funeral in France, emphasised the importance of avoiding that scenario. “Logistics-wise, it’s a completely different story,” he said. “Travel time is much longer if we finish second, with the added factor of schedules and heat.” However, topping the group could set up a Round of 16 meeting with Germany.
The match also highlights the rivalry between Haaland and Mbappé, who are level on two goals apiece in the Golden Boot race. Since Haaland’s debut for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, the Norwegian has scored two more league goals than his French counterpart, though Mbappé holds a five-assist advantage and has earned nearly twice as many international caps. Haaland remains the only one of the pair to have won the Champions League.
Confirmed starting XIs
France: Maignan; T. Hernandez, Lacroix, Upamecano, Koundé; Koné, Tchouaméni; Doué, Olise, Dembélé; Mbappé.
Norway: Selvik; Aursnes, Falchener, Østigård, Bjørkan; Thorstvedt, Berg; Bobb, Aasgaard, Schjelderup; Larsen.