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Predicted Starting XIs for World Cup Group I Match

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One of the most exciting games at this year’s FIFA World Cup thus far takes place on Friday when France meets Norway in the final matchday of Group I. The European nations collide at Gillette Stadium, battling to top their group.

Erling Haaland and the Vikings have lived up to their billing as dark horses with a 4-1 win over Iraq and a 3-2 victory against Senegal. Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus have looked the real deal, beating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0.

It means the Norwegians will be eyeing victory over the French to steal first place in their group. Both countries are already through to the Round of 32.

Match:

Information:

Date

Friday, June 26, 2026

Kick-off Time

15:00 EDT Local Time (20:00 BST)

Venue

Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough

Competition

FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I (Matchday 3)

Referee

Michael Oliver (English)

Norway

Oscar Bobb Erling Haaland Norway Viking Row World Cup 2026 HMB Media/ Marco Bader via Sipa USA

Stale Solbakken’s men sealed their place in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal. Manchester City striker Haaland was at the double as his side made it six points from their two opening games.

Norway can really put the cat amongst the pigeons with a win over favourites France and finish at the top of Group I. That will be a tough ask, though, as they haven’t beaten the two-time world champions since August 2010.

Team News

Solbakken is likely to be without Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, who picked up a thigh injury in the win over Senegal. That will be one change that has to be made, and it will force their manager to rotate for the first time at this World Cup.

Torbjorn Heggem’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the game after coming off late on against Senegal. That might mean Solbakken tinkers with his defence, but Haaland will undoubtedly continue to lead the line, having bagged four goals in two games.

Predicted Starting 11

There should be two changes to Norway’s backline, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who scored against Senegal, replacing Ryerson. Leo Ostigard could come in for Heggem as he did at the end of their win over the Senegalese.

Haaland should be joined by Antonio Nusa in attack, as well as Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, to give Alexander Sorloth a rest. Solbakken will want to field a team that can spring a surprise and beat France.

Expected XI: Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa

France

Desire Doue representing France Sarah Meyssonnier via Reuters

Of the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, France are looking the strongest side. A slightly underwhelming first-half performance against Senegal aside, they have been superb, and Mbappe is in red-hot form.

Mbappe, like Haaland, has found the net four times in two games, and he’s not the only French attacker shining. Les Bleus are currently top of Group I, ahead of Norway with a superior goal difference of just one.

Team News

Deschamps will miss the game against Norway after the death of his mother, leaving his assistant Guy Stephan to lead the team. He will have to decide which of Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking pair, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, should start.

Manchester United-linked Aurelien Tchouameni lost his place in midfield to Manu Kone in the victory over Iraq. He might have a fight on his hands to reclaim it, as well as Theo Hernandez, whom Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne displaced at left-back.

Predicted Starting 11

William Saliba returned and played the full 90 minutes in the win against Iraq, and he should keep his place against Norway. Digne fared well in that game and could get the nod over Hernandez again.

Kone’s performance earned praise, and he may have done enough to continue in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot. In attack, Barcola has outperformed Doue thus far and should get a chance to prove he deserves to be a starter.

Expected XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe

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Tottenham Eye Move To Sign ‘Incredible’ West Ham Star, Not Fernandes

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Tottenham are one of the clubs considering a summer move for West Ham ace Crysencio Summerville, according to The Guardian.

The north London club have already completed four transfer deals for the 2026/27 season, and they show no sign of slowing down for head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka have all signed on the dotted line, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes potential further additions as Spurs look to give De Zerbi all the tools he needs after surviving an almighty relegation scare last season.

Tottenham certainly require attacking reinforcements after a real lack of goals from their attacking players during the 2025/26 campaign saw them plunged into relegation trouble.

In the end, it was Summerville and West Ham who were relegated to the Championship on the final day, but the Dutchman looks on course to secure a move away from the Hammers ahead of the new term with clubs interested in his services.

Summerville will not want to play in the Championship after the World Cup

Crysencio Summerville West Ham

West Ham are certainly not going to be short on suitors for Summerville as they prepare for life in the Championship with many top stars expected to depart.

As well as interest from Tottenham, The Guardian report that Chelsea and Manchester United are also tracking the winger as they get their squads in place for the new season.

Interest in Summerville may only increase over the next couple of months after so far catching the eye for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.

You scored

out of 20

The 24-year-old has netted in both of his country’s opening two games against Japan and Sweden, with the player looking to continue his hot streak in the early hours of Friday morning in their final Group F clash against Tunisia.

In what was a disastrous season for West Ham, the left-winger netted seven goals in all competitions for the east London club, including the opening goal in their 2-1 win over Tottenham in January.

Will it be Summerville or Savinho for Spurs?

Savinho in action for Manchester City via Reuters

Another attacking player who has been mentioned in regards to a move to Tottenham this summer is Manchester City ace Savinho.

Unable to strike a deal for the Brazilian 12 months ago, a move could possibly materialise this summer with a fee of £60million mentioned.

Talk of Savinho swapping City for Spurs appears to have died down of late, with all the attention firmly focused on Tonali and Fernandes at present.

Just like Summerville, Savinho operates from the left-flank but the former Girona man is also comfortable playing from the right.

Summerville did fare better in terms of numbers during the 2025/26 campaign after contributing seven goals and five assists in 34 games compared to Savinho’s four goals and three assists in 36 outings.


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Man Utd Handed Aurelien Tchouameni Transfer Chance

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With the summer transfer window now open for business, Manchester United are hard at work trying to find players to improve their team, with The Athletic claiming that one target may now be available in the market.

The Red Devils have already sealed a deal to sign Ederson, though confirmation of the transfer switch from Atalanta is still pending at this stage.

There is interest in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, but intense competition from rivals Tottenham, along with a high transfer fee, is making a potential deal awkward to seal for the pair.

That could see Man United switch focus in the midfield market towards another option, who is now seemingly available.

Aurelien Tchouameni Transfer Chance

Tchouameni Real Madrid Action Images

Man United have been linked with a move for Real Madrid ace Aurelien Tchouameni as one of several potential midfield options on the cards this summer.

A deal for the France international has appeared complicated. However, the door for a switch may well have opened up in the summer transfer window.

That’s because The Athletic reports that Real Madrid are considering offers for Tchouameni this summer, with hopes that an exit will help create room for another midfield signing.

The 26-year-old is claimed to be of interest to Man United, who are looking at their own midfield ranks for potential replacements for Casemiro.

Tchouameni has previously been described as a “dream” signing for the Red Devils, who may finally get their chance to land him in the coming weeks.

It is all likely to depend on the fee that Real Madrid require, which may not come cheap, while the player’s own personal terms could prove costly as well.

It remains to be seen whether Man United will push through with a move, as they wait for their next big call in the midfield ranks.

You scored

out of 20

Man United Midfield Pressure

Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026) via Reuters

Manchester United are facing increasing pressure to get their next midfield signing through the door, with the arrival likely to be a marquee transfer for this summer.

The midfield merry-go-round has already begun and threatens to leave the Red Devils behind, as Elliot Anderson looks set to join rivals Manchester City.


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Manchester United are looking towards the future, and have a wonderkid in their sights this summer.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s progress for Tonali and Fernandes threatens to remove two other options from the club’s shortlist coming into this window.

It means there is pressure there to get a deal over the line. Tchouameni could be the best of those remaining, and may be the perfect option moving forward.

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Guillermo Ochoa Wears Special Shirt in Mexico vs Czechia

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Guillermo Ochoa has been a regular in Mexico squads for two decades, but his appearance off the bench against the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Cup was likely his international farewell.

The veteran shot-stopper came on late, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned six World Cup call-ups. He may have kept a 15-minute clean sheet in his cameo appearance, but something on his shirt caught the attention of some eagle-eyed fans.

Ochoa was sporting the new FIFA “Legacy” patch, reserved for players who’ve featured in five or more tournaments. The trouble is, the numbers don’t quite add up.

Why Ochoa’s Legacy Patch has Raised Questions

Guillermo Ochoa Henry Romero via Reuters

FIFA introduced the legacy patch this year to mark out the players who’ve made the World Cup feel like home, names such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo among them. Ochoa, named in six consecutive squads stretching back to 2006, looked a natural fit for the honour.

Except being named in a squad isn’t the same as playing in one. Ochoa was an unused substitute throughout the entirety of the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, never once stepping onto the pitch. FIFA’s own guidelines are clear that the patch is meant for players with genuine on-field minutes across five separate editions, not simply squad inclusions.


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By that measure, Ochoa has only actually played in four World Cups: 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026, still an impressive feat, but not one that qualifies him for the patch.

What This Means For Mexico’s Goalkeeping Great

None of this is likely to bother Ochoa much. At 40, he’s already confirmed his status as one of Mexico’s most beloved players, famous for his acrobatic saves and his habit of frustrating bigger nations on the biggest stage. He won’t feel as though he requires a commemorative badge to rubber-stamp it.

Whether a patch technically belongs on his shirt or not, his place in World Cup folklore isn’t going anywhere.


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Still, the mix-up does highlight the slightly messy rollout of FIFA’s new initiative. If the governing body wants the legacy patch to mean something, a quick look at the eligibility criteria might be in order before the next batch of kits is rolled out.

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