- France have won four of their last five matches, including two away victories in a row
- Norway sit atop Group I with three points after thumping Iraq 4-1 in their opening match
- France have played more positively than usual in their last two games, both of which have been away from home
Clement's Norway can spring a surprise in Boston
Norway's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I victory was emphatic with the Nordic nation running out 4-1 winners away to Iraq and that sets up a fascinating showdown with France in the early game in Boston, USA on Friday. The Norway vs France preview highlights the stakes and form both sides bring into this much-anticipated fixture.
Philippe Clement, who took over as Norway boss in November 2025, has instilled a rigorous style of play with his team typically operating a 4-3-3 system in which players are disciplined, compact and quick. Haaland's pace and power make them a threat on the counter and Martin Ødegaard is usually involved in linking up play in the transitions.
France, by contrast, operate from a 4-2-3-1 base where the two deep midfielders provide a platform for the forwards to work off the pace and energy of Kylian Mbappé. Didier Deschamps has done more with his star-studded line-up of late and his side have played more fluidly with the attacking players, who have also been more interchangeable, with Mbappé taking centre stage. Our Norway vs France prediction suggests that both teams’ tactical approaches could lead to a tense and open contest.
Deschamps' France can squeeze through in Group I
France have a slight edge in quality and form and will win the game at 1.82 while Norway are odds against at 4.2. There is a case for the draw at 3.8, but our Norway vs France prediction is that France have a little more about them and can squeeze through to the second round.
Deschamps has been in charge of the France team since 2012 and has managed the balance between pragmatic solidity and attacking flair rather well, albeit sometimes too much towards the former. This France team is on a high after back-to-back 3-1 wins over Northern Ireland and Senegal that have left them level on points with Norway at the top of the group.
Adrien Rabiot has been dictating the tempo in midfield, providing an assist, while Mbappé has already shown his lethal finishing ability in France's first Group I game, netting a brace. As France's squad is deeper, our Norway vs France betting tips suggest they should have enough quality to pull out a win in what promises to be the fixture of the group stage at Boston Stadium.
Haaland has the edge in a goal fest
Norway's recent record is two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions but they performed well in holding Morocco to a draw and then went one better against Iraq. The Norway vs France prediction is that Haaland, with two goals in one game for Norway at this World Cup, looks the most likely of any player on the field to score at any time, so we'll take that bet at 4/6.
The Over 2.5 goals market is a little narrow at 1.87 but there should be enough goalmouth action in this encounter between a highly-disciplined, counter-attacking Norway and a more fluid, star-studded French team.
