How Norway Plan to Hurt France in their Group I Decider
by Joseph King | by Cydias Aujard
Norway have stormed back onto the 2026 World Cup scene, gracing the tournament for the first time since 1998. They’ve already made themselves at home, racking up two wins from their first two matches with seven goals scored, and a place in the Round of 32 secured. However, there’s still one more matter to attend to: the Group I decider against France. Will Ståle Solbakken go all-in and send a statement of intent to the current tournament-favourites?
Norway play style: feed the beast
Unsurprisingly, Solbakken has set Norway up to do one thing above all else: get the best out of Erling Haaland. The shape tends to be a 4-3-3 that morphs depending on the phase of play. The key is the identity: direct, physical and built around lightning-quick counters. Norway ranks just 23rd at the World Cup in possession at 51.4%, yet they have managed to create an average of 2.35 xG and an astounding 5 big chances per match so far – a clear indicator as to this team’s priorities.
Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth, a 193cm striker by trade, is often deployed on the right wing to give Norway a second aerial threat and to pin opposition full-backs.
The potential X-factor, though, is Antonio Nusa.
The 21-year-old is an electric dribbler and quick off the mark, very much in the mould of Belgium's Jeremy Doku.
With defenders preoccupied by the imposing figures of Haaland and Sorloth centrally, Nusa often finds himself isolated against a full-back in space, which is where he can do maximum damage.
Will Haaland and Odegaard start?
This is the question on everybody's lips. Norway have already qualified, the new format adds an extra knockout round, and proper squad management is a genuine concern for a nation that hasn't navigated a tournament of this length in nearly 30 years.
On the other hand, this would be a massive confidence boost for Norway if they were able to go toe-to-toe with France. Not just that, there is also a potential bracket incentive. Finishing second would likely set up a Round of 32 tie with Ivory Coast, who are looking like a seriously dangerous team. Topping the group probably means a Scandinavian derby against Sweden, a team that shipped 5 goals against the Dutch in the second matchday.
If Haaland or Odegaard do sit, Norway become a different side. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Oscar Bobb are certainly capable replacements, but neither has the gravitational pull of Haaland or the creative prowess of Odegaard.
Ryerson's absence could cost Norway
Julian Ryerson was forced off after just 14 minutes against Senegal with a thigh problem and is a genuine doubt for Friday. His absence could prove costly. Ryerson has been one of the Bundesliga's most dangerous creative full-backs this season, racking up 15 assists for Borussia Dortmund. He's been a primary creative outlet for Norway at this World Cup and in their qualifying campaign as well, finishing with a goal and four assists in 8 matches.
Against Iraq, Ryerson delivered four accurate crosses and created three chances in the 4-1 victory. Marcus Pedersen is the likely replacement and managed to score coming on against Senegal, but Ryerson's delivery from wide is harder to replace. Check out our Norway vs France prediction for additional analysis on the match.
What Norway are up against
Even if Guy Stephan, who is filling in for Didier Deschamps, opts to rotate, France's depth is frightening. Their B-team attackers would walk into most international squads. Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue all carry match-winning quality. And if Stephan goes full strength, Norway's defence will be tasked with containing Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, up there with one of the most devastating front threes in the tournament.
It's a balancing act for Solbakken, then. Rest his stars and risk dropping into a tougher half of the bracket, or go all-in and ask his best players to deliver one more performance before the real tournament begins. Our Norway vs France prediction weighs both scenarios, but either way, Friday in Boston should tell us a great deal about how far this Norway side genuinely believe they can go.
