Norway versus France

Group stage Scheduled Group I
0–0

Norway

Norway return for their first tournament since 1998, ending a 28-year exile in the most spectacular way possible: with Erling Haaland (Manchester City) leading the line. The Premier League's most prolific striker is the engine but not alone — Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) supplies the creativity, Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig) and Oscar Bobb (Manchester City) offer pace, Sander Berge (Fulham) anchors midfield. Ståle Solbakken, retained through qualification, has shifted to a more direct 4-3-3 that maximises Haaland's touch in the box. The Norwegian footballing public has waited a generation for this. Group I with France, Senegal and Iraq is dangerous, but Norway's ceiling is genuinely high — second place is achievable, and an upset of France is not unthinkable.

France

France arrive as 2018 champions, 2022 finalists, and 2024 European semi-finalists — the most consistent elite force of the past decade. Didier Deschamps, after twelve years in charge, is reportedly heading toward a final tournament with Les Bleus. The squad is still anchored by Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), now in his prime; Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) and Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) form a generational midfield; Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) provides width; William Saliba (Arsenal) and Dayot Upamecano (Bayern) lead the back. France's depth is unmatched — even injuries are absorbed without crisis. Group I with Senegal, Norway and Iraq is dangerous, particularly Norway with Haaland, but France should clinch first. The brief is straightforward: a third title in three cycles.

Gillette Stadium

Gillette Stadium hosts seven matches in 2026, including a quarter-final, anchoring the tournament in New England. Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, between Boston and Providence, the venue opened in 2002 and is shared by the New England Patriots NFL franchise and the New England Revolution MLS side. Capacity for football is approximately 65,900. The pitch was reconverted from artificial turf to natural grass for the tournament. Climate: New England summer days are typically 24-29°C — the most temperate among US host cities, with low humidity and minimal rain risk during the tournament window. The Boston metropolitan area's academic gravity (Harvard, MIT) and high disposable income make Gillette a strategic destination for international supporters who can fund travel, particularly European ones.