- Recent form: France have won their last two away games.
- Overall form: France have won four of their last five games in all competitions.
- Squad note: France have greater quality and more depth to their squad, although Norway are well organised and have momentum in Group I.
Heavyweights meet in Boston Stadium
France will take on Norway in a clash of potential stars in Boston on Friday in a must-win game at the top of Group I. France are currently in second spot in the group on three points after beating Senegal 3-1 in their opening World Cup qualifying game at home.
Norway are at the summit on three after their 4-1 away win over Iraq last time out.
Les Bleus have looked very strong in their two recent wins over Northern Ireland and Senegal, both 3-1 away victories, while Norway are coming into this game on the back of a good 0-0 draw with Morocco and the aforementioned win over the Iraqis. Philippe Clement's side have two wins, two draws and one defeat in their past five games in all competitions.
Haaland can make the difference
Norway's organisation
Haaland is the major factor in this game, of course, but it would be foolish to underestimate the rest of the Norway side that is so well organised around the Man City star. Clement, who took over as head coach of the national team in November 2025, has made Norway very compact and capable of counter-attacking at pace.
Norway can play a flexible 4-3-3 system depending on the opponent and game state, but the common theme to their style is disciplined defending and a transition game. Martin Ødegaard is a key cog in the system, picking the ball up and playing Haaland into the game, and Clement will be confident his side can create the spaces for them to do it against the French.
France's approach
Didier Deschamps, who has had a long reign as France coach since 2012, has a more adventurous approach and likes to get his side playing a 4-2-3-1 system that is both deep in midfield and fluid in terms of players swapping positions to get behind the opposing defense.
French fluidity to tell
Les Bleus have the advantage in possession and Adrien Rabiot has been dictating their tempo from the deep-lying playmaker position with one assist in the first Group I game.
Norway will give this their all, but France are on a winning streak and have superior depth to Norway, so will likely come through with the win.
- Mbappé has two goals already in his one appearance and has enough ice in his veins to finish off this match with the winning goal.
- France are the clear favorites at 1.82 with Norway available at 4.2 and the draw at 3.8.
- Over 2.5 goals is also favored, albeit narrowly at 1.87, and this should be an exciting game with both sides going for it at some point.
