Two of Group I’s strongest sides meet on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and for once, the stakes extend well beyond the pitch.
France and Norway both won their opening World Cup 2026 matches, setting up a group-stage decider that will go a long way toward determining who advances to the knockout rounds and who starts scrambling for points against Senegal and Iraq.
What happened in the opening games
France made the easier work of it, beating Iraq 3-0 in their tournament opener. Norway’s path was messier: a 3-2 win over Senegal that was competitive until the final whistle.
Both teams arrive on June 26 with maximum points and a lot to play for. A win here essentially locks up first place in the group. A loss forces a nervous wait on the final matchday.
