Vietnam crab exportersoftshell crab exporterVietnamese mud crab exportsoft-shell crab exporter
Sports newsletter Readers' Choice 🐐 World Cup mania ⚽️ 🏆 Best online casinos 🎰 🎲
Men's World Cup

Norway vs France World Cup prediction, picks, analysis

June 26, 2026, 6:31 a.m. ET

Norway takes on France on Friday, June 26 in a highly anticipated battle at the top of Group I. Both of the teams have been led by their superstars, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe both scoring braces in each of their team's opening two games.

Boosted by Mbappe and Haaland, both Norway and France have already sealed progression to the knockout phase with wins over Iraq and Senegal. Now the sides will meet at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts with first place on the line. France has the superior goal differential, meaning only a draw is needed for Les Bleus to finish on top of Group I. Norway, on the other hand, must beat the tournament favorite to clinch first place.

The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, and USA TODAY is going all in with reporters on the ground in all 16 host cities across three countries to cover 48 teams vying for the trophy. Get our World Cup: Extra Time newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.

Norway vs France predictions

Seth Vertelney: Norway 0-2 France

Erling Haaland is correct: This Norway side, especially having already clinched safe passage through the group, is too fragile at the back to beat France.

Jon Arnold: Norway 1-2 France

Norway has had a bright start, but its back line is yet to face a test like the French attack. Mbappe's scoring exploits continue, while Les Bleus snuff out Haaland and Co.

Victoria Hernandez: Norway 2 - 2 France

It's too bad both teams have already advanced to the Round of 32 and probably won't be playing full force. There will still be a handful of goals that might make this one interesting to watch.

World Cup picks, predictions and odds for June 26

How to watch Norway vs France on June 26

  • Matchup: Norway vs France
  • Date: Friday, June 26
  • Time: 3:00 PM (ET)
  • Venue: Gillette Stadium
  • Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
  • TV: Fox
  • Streaming: FOX One App
  • Spanish Broadcast: Telemundo, Peacock
Watch the 2026 World Cup with Fubo

Norway vs France odds

World Cup standings

Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.

2026 World Cup format

The 48 competing nations are divided into 12 groups of four. Each group will play a round robin style where teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32 along with the eight best third-place squads. Tiebreakers in the group standings will be resolved using the following criteria:

  • Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
  • Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
  • Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
  • Superior goal difference in all group matches
  • Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
  • Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
  • The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA Men's World Ranking

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.

Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.